Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he had a "very proud dad moment" whilst watching his daughter graduate in Australia yesterday.
Luxon's daughter has been studying across the pond for four years. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters took over as acting prime minister whilst Luxon took the day trip.
In a post on social media, the Prime Minister wrote: "Very proud dad moment watching Olivia graduate from the University of Melbourne yesterday ❤️."
During his post-Cabinet media conference on Monday, Luxon said attending the graduation was a "long-standing commitment" he had made.
"I'm going to leave at 6am in the morning and I'll be back here at midnight," he said.
"It'll just be a day trip over and back again, so I can see my daughter graduate after four years of study. I think family is really important."
The PM continued: "I'm really proud, as any parent, watching their kids come through high school, and watching them find their path in life, find the thing that they feel great about, and are passionate about. It's a really satisfying experience."
Luxon said he expected others in his "Cabinet to take decisions that support their family life as well".
"I think that's the job of us, as parents, is to take these wonderful young people that we get as gifts. At the beginning, and as I've often said, from 0-5 (years) we're caretakers, 5-12 we're cops, 12-18 we're coaches, and 18-plus we turn into 24/7 consultants.
"It's really great when you've got young adults that have turned into fine young people and are focused on what they want to do with their life.
"That's really our goal."
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