Motions — Congratulatory Message—Birth of His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge

I seek leave to move a motion without notice on behalf of the Government on the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.

💬 SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.

I move, That the House congratulate Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.

Along with many people around the globe, New Zealanders have witnessed and celebrated the joy that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have clearly found with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte. I’m very pleased to lead the House’s congratulations on the birth of a third child to this close-knit family. I’m sure that the duke and duchess are cherishing this special time with their new son, and no doubt Prince George and Princess Charlotte are enjoying getting to know their new little brother.

New Zealand’s official gift to the royal couple is a handcrafted baby blanket, made from the natural wool of Corriedale sheep, and a selection of New Zealand children’s books. The blanket has been specially created for the prince and features a design of mānuka flowers and seed pods. Mānuka is a very special indigenous plant, both beautiful and useful for its healing properties. The books have been selected for their outstanding—[Interruption] People enjoy that extra information, Minister of Finance. The books have been selected for their outstanding writing and illustrations and the special insights that they give to a child’s perspective of New Zealand. We, of course, hope that the royal family will enjoy these gifts that are uniquely representative of New Zealand, and I already know that Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy is a favourite amongst the royal household.

On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I am pleased to be able to put on the record of this House our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and to Prince George and Princess Charlotte. I’m sure we’ll also join in congratulating Her Majesty the Queen on the birth of her sixth great-grandchild.

On behalf of the members on this side of the House, can I, with heartfelt joy, join the Prime Minister in also congratulating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, on the birth of their beautiful bonny boy, Prince Louis. Can I say to Catherine, it is quite an extraordinary feat, really, to appear publicly only hours after the birth looking so radiant. And I’m sure that she, her husband, and the older siblings, George and Charlotte, have real, as I say, joy at the birth of their little one. As the father of three myself—and a newborn as well—I am sure they know, like me, of the challenges involved, but I’m absolutely sure they will see little Louis as the blessing that he is, and they can know, very much, that on this side of the House, through this Parliament, and in New Zealand, we are all with them as they raise their beautiful young boy.

The Green Party is proud to congratulate Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, on the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge, their third son, who arrived at 8 pound, 7 ounces I’m told—which is good, which is well done.

I did want to extend the celebration but also my personal sympathy to Catherine, mum of the baby, in having to bear the public scrutiny at such an early stage after giving birth to a child. Whatever circumstances you are born into or give birth under, it will never ever eradicate the complete turmoil and exhaustion that birthing a baby is for any mother, so I hope that Catherine finds some downtime to simply just be whatever shape she needs to be in to be able to care for a new baby.

💬 Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: Hear, hear!

I did want—ha, ha! The Prime Minister appears to agree with this sentiment. I did want to share that I wish all children were celebrated in the House of Parliament in this fantastic way and every single child was a notice of motion. But if we don’t do that, we can do that in the agenda that we run in this House of Representatives instead: rather than a notice of motion for every baby, we stand and rule as if every baby is a notice of motion.

Lastly, here’s a little waiata. I didn’t buy a gift, but I wrote a song for my own babies, and if the prince and duke and duchess would like to learn it and sing it to their baby, they’re more than welcome to.

Pekepeke tamariki, menemene mai

Korikori tinana, katakata mai

Ka haere te wā, kua pau te hau

Haere ki te moenga, moe moe e.

[Jumpy jumpy children smiling at me

Full of energy, laughing with me

Time flies by, we’ve run out of steam

Off to bed now, have sweet dreams.]

Kia ora.

On behalf of the ACT Party, I’d like to join with other leaders in congratulating the happy royal couple. I’d like to commend the Prime Minister on her appropriate and very Kiwi gifts that she’s given on behalf of New Zealand—well done. And to young Louis, we wish all the best that life has to offer. Thank you.

Motion agreed to.

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