ACT's outgoing deputy leader and cabinet minister, Brooke van Velden, has shared that she is expecting a baby.
In a post to Facebook, van Velden said she was "thrilled to share that my partner and I are expecting a baby in early November".
"We are both very happy to be starting our family," she said. "I’ve never sought to bring my personal life into politics, but this is an exception, as it was going to become increasingly obvious!"
The Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations said the news was unrelated to her decision not to seek re-election, which was announced in March.
"As many of you will know, there are many things in life that you can schedule and plan for, but this was one that was going to happen in its own time.
"This won’t change any of my priorities as I will continue in both my Ministerial and electorate duties until the election and will fly to Wellington until the Parliament rises at the end of September, returning to the electorate every Friday."
She said she continued her plan to pass the Employment Leave Bill and the Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill, and to help ACT retain her seat in Tāmaki at the next election.
Van Velden announced her retirement from politics in late March, saying she would "explore opportunities in the private sector".
“I have never wanted to be a career politician, and while I believe there are so many more years I could serve my community, I wish to explore the private sector too. At some point in the future, I would like to return to public service," she said at the time.
"It has been an absolute privilege to serve our country in Government and represent the people of Tāmaki and ACT, but I feel now is the right time for change."
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