Video: New Zealand parliament speaker soothes baby as debate rages

The speaker took it upon himself to take on babysitting duties while presiding over the debate.

The man who presides over New Zealand's parliament has been called a baby whisperer.
He was in action again this week, gently rocking, bottle feeding and burping a colleague's infant as a lawmaker ranted about gas prices.

VIDEO: Multitasking.

New Zealand's parliamentary speaker feeds a lawmaker's baby while presiding over a debate pic.twitter.com/ijUAJQdZxu
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 23, 2019

Speaker Trevor Mallard held baby Tutanekai for about 15 minutes during a fiery general debate Wednesday after spotting lawmaker Tamati Coffey with his 6-week-old son.

Normally the Speaker's chair is only used by Presiding Officers but today a VIP took the chair with me. Congratulations @tamaticoffey and Tim on the newest member of your family. pic.twitter.com/47ViKHsKkA
- Trevor Mallard (@SpeakerTrevor) August 21, 2019

Mallard said Friday he's been trying to make parliament a more baby-friendly place by adding baby chairs, family rooms and soon, a slide. He's also increased the flexibility around family leave for lawmakers.

Lovely to have a baby in the House, and what a beautiful one @tamaticoffey pic.twitter.com/EP6iP9eQES
- Gareth Hughes (@GarethMP) August 21, 2019

It isn't the first time a baby has sat in on legislative proceedings in the country. 
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in 2018 became just the second elected world leader in modern history to give birth while holding office after having daughter Neve.