Green MP rides electric bike to hospital for birth

Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter rode an electric bike to hospital to have her first baby.

The minister for women and associate minister of health and transport posted pictures to Instagram of her e-bike ride on August 19.

E-bike fan Genter and partner Peter Nunns’ ride to Auckland City Hospital has made international news.

Britain’s The Guardian

reported Genter, at 42 weeks pregnant, saying the trip to hospital was mainly downhill.

“Beautiful Sunday morning for a bike ride, to the hospital, for an induction to finally have this baby,” Genter says on Instagram. “This is it, wish us luck! (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, 38, is planning to take only six weeks off from her ministerial duties although aims for three months off Parliament.

She’s the second minister to take maternity leave this year after prime minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to her first daughter, Neve, in June.

Green Party co-leader James Shaw will take over as acting associate transport minister and acting associate health minister.