With her baby due on June 17, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made public her plan for how the country will run while she's on maternity leave.

While she takes the six weeks scheduled leave, the reins will be handed to Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who will perform the role of acting Prime Minister – as he would do any time Ardern is out of the country.

Given the heightened scrutiny being placed on Ardern's maternity leave, her office released a two-page letter outlining exactly how the government would operate in her absence.

"As acting Prime Minister, you will exercise the functions and powers of the prime minister, in consultation with me where appropriate, particularly where matters of significant political, strategic or public interest, or national security arise," Arden wrote in the letter addressed to Peters.

"I will continue to receive cabinet and cabinet committee papers. You will manage the day-to-day business of the government," Ardern wrote.