The Speaker of New Zealand’s parliament has warmed hearts after he showed his paternal side when he cradled a new born baby during a debate.
Speaker Trevor Mallard shared the photo of himself feeding the child of MP Tāmati Coffey while he sat in his seat at the head of the chamber and led proceedings.
The baby named Tūtānekai Smith-Coffey whose birth was announced in July, according to Newshub, was born through a surrogate mother to MP Tāmati Coffey and his gay partner, Tim Smith.
Coffey, who is a former roving weather presenter and the 2009 winner of New Zealand’s Dancing with the Stars, brought his baby along to the debate on his first day back to parliament since returning from paternity leave.
It seemed that Coffey needed a hand as proceeding went on, so the speaker, who is a father of three, scooped up the newborn in his capable hands, speaking softly and smiling when the baby giggled.
Trevor shared the photos on Twitter and congratulated the two dads for their newborn.
As many saw the photos, warm wishes flooded in from all corners including from Green Party MP Gareth Hughes, who wrote on Twitter: “Lovely to have a baby in the House, and what a beautiful one @tamaticoffey.”
See other reactions that flooded his Tweet below.
