26.02.2026 15:05
It has been confirmed that Clarke Gayford, the husband of Jacinda Ardern, who served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2017 to 2023, has moved to Sydney with their daughter Neve; as the number of New Zealanders heading to Australia has increased recently due to economic difficulties and rising immigration, Ardern's decision has sparked a political and symbolic debate in the country.
It has been officially confirmed that former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, one of the most notable political figures in New Zealand's modern history, has moved to neighboring Australia after stepping down from her position.
Ardern, who served as New Zealand's 40th Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023, has reportedly started a new life in Sydney with her family. Recently, there have been extensive reports in the Australian press about Ardern and her husband Clarke Gayford viewing real estate in Sydney's coastal area with their 7-year-old daughter Neve. A spokesperson for Ardern confirmed the claims, stating, "They are currently living in Australia. They had been traveling between the two countries for a while, but now they are working and living there."
IMMIGRATION DEBATE HEATS UP IN NEW ZEALAND
Ardern's decision to move has sparked political and economic discussions in New Zealand. The country is facing a serious wave of immigration due to weakening economic indicators, rising unemployment rates, and increasing living costs in recent years.
According to official data, more than 60% of New Zealanders leaving the country prefer Australia due to the higher salaries and broader job opportunities it offers. This situation further strengthened the symbolic significance of Ardern's decision.
Critics interpreted the choice of a leader who governed the country for six years to follow the immigration route preferred by her citizens for economic reasons as "meaningful." Supporters, on the other hand, argued that Ardern has the right to establish her private life wherever she wishes after stepping away from active politics.
SHE BECAME PRIME MINISTER AT 37
Jacinda Ardern became the "world's youngest female prime minister" at the age of 37. During her tenure, she gained international acclaim for her leadership style during critical crises such as the mosque attack in Christchurch and the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement at the beginning of 2023, Ardern announced her surprise decision to step down, stating that she "no longer had enough energy." After her resignation, she preferred to lead a lower-profile life in the public eye. With her decision to settle in Australia, Ardern's new life in the post-political era has also been formalized.