Minister Genter’s Bicycle Baby‑Buddies: The Pedal‑Powered Pre‑Delivery
When a Parliamentarian Needs a Power‑Bike Instead of a Ride‑Share
On the morning of August 20, 2018, Julia Anne Genter, New Zealand’s Minister for Women and a proud Green MP, launched herself on a one‑kilometre ride to Auckland City Hospital. She was 42‑weeks pregnant and ready for a big, exciting delivery.
Why Go Biking? Because the Van Was Full and the Mood Was Great
- “My partner and I cycled because there wasn’t enough room in the car for the support crew… but it also put me in the best possible mood!” – Genter on Instagram
- With her bike, Genter could carry all her gear, keep the traffic moving smoothly, and keep her spirits high.
- “It’s the most #onbrand thing ever” – her Green Party team cheered on the two‑wheeled adventure.
Leading with Green, Living Green, and Bringing a Baby Green
As an Associate Transport Minister, Genter is no stranger to sustainable travel. The bike‑trip was a playful, practical statement that:
“Sustainability can get you to the hospital in style and on time.”
Update: Baby’s Not Yet Rolled into the World
A spokeswoman for Genter’s party noted that, by the late afternoon of Monday, the baby had still not arrived. The multi‑tasking minister was patiently counting down the last few minutes before her little one joined the world.
National Calamities: Juggling Motherhood and Politics
- This delivery came just weeks after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern returned to the office after giving birth to her daughter Neve in June.
- Ardern became only the second world leader to give birth while in office, following Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990.
Takeaway: Pedaling, Presiding, and Parenting – Done All at Once
In a country where the pull‑up of a bike can fly faster than a news jet, Minister Genter proved that the “pedal” can power both policy and personal milestones. Whether chasing a new life or chasing greener roads, she keeps her pedals turning.
