Azhani means true blessing. Photo: ACT Health.
Canberra’s first baby for 2026 arrived just after 6 am on New Year’s Day (1 January), just a few hours after her parents were expecting her.
Azhani Kysa was born to mum Ariane Muchiri and dad Chris Sunderland.
The couple didn’t know their baby’s gender until she arrived but quickly decided on the name Azhani, meaning true blessing.
They were, however, expecting their first child to arrive on New Year’s Eve.
“We were kind of betting that it was going to happen on the 31st and then we were going to tell her the fireworks were just always a planned thing for her birthday for the next 10 years,” Ariane said.
“She’s going to think we are the coolest parents ever. Yes the whole world is celebrating your birthday.”
A first time mum, Ariane recently graduated from nursing school and did her placement in pediatrics at Canberra hospital.
“I didn’t know I was going to have my baby here as well,” she said.
“It’s very different on the other side, but it also gives you a much stronger appreciation for all the things nurses do.”
There were more than 6000 births registered in the ACT in 2025, with Oliver and Evelyn the most popular baby names.
