GIANTS star Paul Whatuira has showed his baby daughter to the world for the first time.

And the Examiner has the first exclusive pictures of Paul, his fiance Vanessa and new daughter, Gabrielle Kaea Whatuira.

Gabrielle was born two weeks ago and has helped Paul to put the most traumatic period of his life behind him.

The 28-year-old New Zealander had revealed his high-profile breakdown was sparked by memories of abuse he suffered as a child.

The crisis had pushed him to the brink of suicide.

But now, cradling his new daughter in his arms, he says he can now look to the future with confidence.

“I’m feeling very positive about my future and I am over the moon at being a father,’’ he said.

“It is something I will always cherish and I want to be strong for my family. Seeing your own child being born is an incredible feeling.

“After hitting rock bottom towards the end of last year, I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I am fit and healthy and I believe what I went through was a steep learning curve for me.

“The support of everyone, particularly Vanessa who has been my ‘rock’, and then the birth of my daughter has been a wonderful experience and I can now look forward to getting back on the field and help the Giants keep on improving in Super League.

“I felt good in my first game since my illness in our pre-season win at Castleford on Tuesday and I just want to keep on working hard and doing the best for myself and for the team.”

Paul’s troubles came when he was waiting for fatherhood, triggered by flashbacks of sex abuse when he was just six.

He had admitted himself to St Luke’s after falling into a deep depression and suffering severe insomnia.

But he left and attacked two men outside engineering firm TWL at St Thomas’ Road, Folly Hall, on October 13. He was arrested and spent 13 days at the unit in Bradford, but he was never charged because of his psychological state at the time of the incident.

Paul spoke out about his childhood abuse to help others who had suffered.

“I want them to know that there is light at the other side of the tunnel,’’ he said. “I do believe that I can help inspire other people. And the way to go about it is to tell it right and real.

“My advice would be to be open, talk to your family and friends.

Paul and Vanessa are planning to marry in October.