New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has defended taking a $45 000 flight to Nauru for the Pacific Islands Forum.

Arden flew a day after her deputy as she wanted to minimise time spent away from her baby.

The NZ PM says she weighed up the issues and logistics and decided to take a separate flight as she felt it was a unique set of circumstances.

Ardern is still breastfeeding her 11 week old daughter, who isn’t old enough to receive vaccinations required to travel to Nauru.