A Paeroa whanau had an extra special start to 2015 with the birth of baby Jacque Emery-Tekani's on New Year's Day.

Proud parents Jack McLaren and Nikita Metekingi-Tekani welcomed their daughter, and the first born baby in the Waikato for 2015, at the Thames Birthing Unit on January 1, at 2.06am

Proud paeroa parents Jack McLaren and Nikita Metekingi-Tekani with their daughter Jacque Emery-Tekani who is the Waikato's first born baby for 2015. Photo Waikato DHB

Nikita went into labour on New Year's Eve at about 11pm and gave birth to Jacque, who weighed in at 3330 grams (7lb 3 ozs), three hour later.

'She was due on Christmas Day so we were very pleased to see her,” says Nikita. 'It all happened pretty fast and I was pleased I didn't have to go all the way to Waikato [Hospital].”

Jacque is the couple's third child after daughter Mereana-Arina Emery-Tekani, 4, and son Tamatiotehaki Emery-Tekani, 3, who incidentally celebrated his birthday on January 2.

Rhonda Symes with her newborn son in Waikato Hospital's Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Her boy was the Waikato's second-born baby for 2015. Photo: Waikato DHB

While Hamilton couple Rhonda and Damien Symes were also celebrating the arrival of their newborn son, who was born at Waikato Hospital at 2.35am.

The couple are keeping a close eye on their son as he was born six weeks early, weighing 2245 grams (4 lb 9 ozs), and is currently having a stint in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

It is also the couple's third child after Zac, 5, and Isabella, 3.

The family had been holidaying in Whangamata at her father's bach when Rhonda fell, which prompted her to return home to Hamilton in labour.

Ironically it was the same place where she went into labour with Zac and he was born four weeks early.