The speaker of New Zealand's parliament is making headlines, but not for his parliamentary skills.

Trevor Mallard decided to cradle and feed a colleague's baby while chairing a debate in Wellington on Wednesday.

MP Tamati Coffey brought his newborn son into the parliament for a debate, after returning from paternity leave.

The as yet unnamed child was born to Mr Coffey and his husband Tim Smith via a surrogate in July.

Mr Mallard decided to take on some babysitting duties, in addition to his presiding role.

Video from the chamber shows him rocking the baby as he warns an MP his speaking time has expired.

Mr Mallard later tweeted pictures of himself nursing the infant - which have gone viral.

He said: "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."

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

New Zealand Green Party MP Gareth Hughes also tweeted a photo with the newborn, saying: "Lovely to have a baby in the House, and what a beautiful one".

Lovely to have a baby in the House, and what a beautiful one @tamaticoffey pic.twitter.com/EP6iP9eQES

— Gareth Hughes (@GarethHughesNZ) August 21, 2019

This is not the first time a New Zealand baby has taken the reins in a parliamentary setting.

Last September, the country's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made history as the first world leader to attend the United Nations General Assembly with her baby.