New Zealand first bloke Clarke Gayford’s dad cardigan delights Kiwis
ALL eyes should have been on the PM’s new bub but an interesting decision by her partner Clarke Gayford raised eyebrows.
WHEN New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern presented her baby to the media throng at Auckland City Hospital on the weekend, all eyes should have been on newborn Neve.
But it was the PM’s partner, and soon-to-be stay-at-home dad, Clarke Gayford who dragged attention away from the bub. He hadn’t made a slip-up, rather his “daggy dad” cardigan did all the talking.
For many, the fetching grey woollen number, with a flared collar and black Aztec-esque pattern, fitted in with his new role effortlessly.
Even Ms Ardern referred to the cardigan in a Facebook message from the hospital.
“Clarke’s got his dad cardie on, which means we’re ready to go … there’s nothing wrong with that dad cardie,” she said.
The new dad said the knit had “finally come of age” after being bought in an op-shop in Gisborne, on the east coast of the North Island about 500km from Auckland.
He may have still had some baby brain though as Mr Gayford couldn’t remember which shop he bought it in. But his partner could. “Sallies [Salvation Army] I think. A real find anyway, just waiting for this moment.”
Can we all take a moment to reflect on Clarke Gayford's fantastic dad cardi https://t.co/5yNiR73bMe
— Gracie Lamphee (@gracielamphee) June 25, 2018
That scene in every superhero origin movie where the main character solemnly dons their superhero costume for the first time, except it's Clarke Gayford donning his dad cardie.
— Lena 🌖 (@DeaExLena) June 24, 2018
Having a child made Clarke Gayford unofficially a dad.
— Sanjay Patel (@spat106) June 24, 2018
Wearing that cardigan yesterday made him officially a dad,
Kiwis have been having a field day about the first bloke’s sartorial choices. “Having a child made Clarke Gayford unofficially a dad. Wearing that cardigan yesterday made him officially a dad,” one on social media said.
Others remarked on how down to earth the pair looked, eschewing designer wear for more accessible clothing options.
“He IS a dad now, so the ‘dad cardie’ is legit!” another said.
Ms Ardern and Mr Gayford left hospital on Sunday with their new baby daughter, who was
wrapped in a blanket and wore a green knitted beanie to keep her warm against the New Zealand winter chill.
The NZ PM told reporters of her joy, thanking the public for their support.
“We’re not placing any great expectations on this little baby, except for happiness and love,” she said.
Ms Ardern revealed her daughter’s name is Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford, with “Ardern” a middle name, so the child’s sole surname is “Gayford”.
She and her partner had opted for the alternative spelling of Neve rather than the traditional Niamh, to avoid confusion. The Irish name means “radiant” or “bright”.
“We’ve gone for simplicity, because Clarke with an ‘e’ has caused all sorts of problems, and Jacinda with a ‘d’,” she said.
“We chose Neve because we just liked it, and when we met her she just looked like she suited the name,” she said.
The name also means “snow”, which Ms Ardern said seemed like a “good combination” for Matariki, the Maori New Year, and the winter solstice, which was when her daughter born.
“Te Aroha”, the name of a rural town on New Zealand’s North Island, was chosen to reflect Ms Ardern’s family history.
Octomum’s one regret: ‘I shouldn’t have’
Controversial mum Nadya Suleman has opened up about her biggest regret, 16 years after she made history for giving birth to the world’s first surviving octuplets.
Brittany Higgins announces birth of her baby
Brittany Higgins and her husband David Sharaz have welcomed their first child.
‘Juggernaut’: Musk welcomes another baby
Elon Musk is a dad once again — to his alleged 14th child — describing the boy as “built like a juggernaut, with a solid heart of gold”.