While his expected birth date was January 5, mother Harata Gemmell (19), of Waikouaiti, said her waters had broken last Tuesday night.
Labour did not occur spontaneously and by Thursday she was admitted to hospital so her labour could be induced, an event which took longer than expected.
Her new son was the most wonderful gift anyone could be given at Christmas, she said.
New father and fishing boat worker Sam Goldsmith (20) agreed.
Asked if they had considered what it would be like having a child with a Christmas birthday, Mr Goldsmith pondered a little before replying "expensive".
When the Otago Daily Times visited the new family last night, mother-of-two Mrs Goldsmith, who had been at the birth, was eagerly waiting to tell family back in Norfolk, England.
Her husband Richard was the youngest of 10 children so there would be many people to contact, she said.
