New Zealand ex-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern weds long-time partner

Reuters

Wellington, January 13

New Zealand’s former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern married her long-time partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony, on Saturday, finally tying the knot after cancelling ceremonies during strict COVID-19 controls she imposed on the country.

Ardern, 43, and Gayford, 47, got engaged in May 2019 and were meant to be married in early 2022, but the ceremony was cancelled due to her ‘go hard, go early’ approach to the pandemic, which allowed New Zealand to keep deaths from the virus low.

The wedding took place in Hawke’s Bay at Craggy Range Winery on the east coast of New Zealand’s north island, about 310 km (190 miles) north of the capital Wellington, Ardern’s spokesperson said.

Official photos showed a smiling Ardern wearing a white halter neck dress, while Gayford wore a black suit. They tied the knot in front of some 50 to 75 guests, the news site Stuff reported.

Among the guests was Ardern’s successor as prime minister Chris Hipkins, the current opposition leader, the New Zealand Herald said.

Hawke’s Bay is home to a number of internationally known wineries and is an important horticultural area.

Arden became a global icon for left-leaning politics and women in leadership as prime minister from 2017 to January last year.

She is one of the two women national leaders to have a baby. Arden took her daughter to a United Nations meeting.

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