Labour MP Tamati Coffey expecting a baby with partner Tim Smith

Sunday, 10 February 2019

Tamati Coffey is expecting a baby with his partner Tim Smith.

Coffey, the Labour MP for Waiariki, made the announcement on stage with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Auckland's Big Gay Out on Sunday.

'I wanted to seize this opportunity, at the biggest gay event in the country right now, to share the news that me and my partner over there are expecting a baby in July,' Coffey said.

Tamati Coffey and his partner Tim Smith at the Big Gay Out 2019, having just announced they are expecting a baby.

The announcement was met with cheers and applause.

**READ MORE:

* Live: Big Gay Out 2019

* Auckland Pride march: all the best photos

* Auckland Pride march 'by us, for us'

Coffey is the Labour MP for the Waiariki electorate. Previously, he was a weather presenter for Breakfast and the host of New Zealand's Got Talent.

* NZ's first HIV-positive eatery at Big Gay Out**

Coffey said it had been 'a long time coming'.

'I turned 40 as well this year … so I think now is a really good time.'

The former TV host said it seemed fitting to share his news at Big Gay Out.

'This is a day where we all come together – all types of people under the rainbow umbrella. We have all kinds of modern families going on and represented here, so I applaud that,' he said.

'What better announcement than that?' Ardern said, to further cheers from the crowd.

Coffey told Stuff the baby was being carried by a surrogate, who was 20 weeks into her pregnancy.

'It's been really hard to keep it a secret… especially with my family and my community, but we decided today's the time to [make the announcement],' he said.

'Our surrogate who is carrying for us is showing enough for people to start asking questions, so I'm happy to have let the cat out of the bag.'

Coffey said he and Smith knew the sex of the baby, but would be keeping it secret 'for a little longer'.

Coffey and Smith have been together for over a decade and had a civil union in 2011.