After Decade-Long Relationship, Former New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern Marries Gayford (Photo on X Ben McKay @benmackey)

New Zealand former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tied the knot with her long-term partner Clarke Timothy Gayford today (Saturday) in a closed ceremony. Both the Ardern, 43, and Gayford, 47 had their engagement in 2019. The marriage was earlier decided for 2022 but was cancelled due to the strict lockdown Ardern imposed in the country when she was the Prime Minister then. She was the Labour prime minister of New Zealand from 2017 until January 2023.

Ardern”s parner Gayford is a New Zealand radio and television broadcaster and during the final speech of Ardern in the parliament, she had said: “Let”s finally get married. The couple also has a five-year-old daughter. She

Saying that “such is the life,” Ardern in 2022 said: “My wedding won’t be going ahead but I just join many other New Zealanders who have had an experience like that as a result of the pandemic.”

It was in 2012 that the couple met for the first time at an award night in Auckland. Gayford was hosting the show. A year later, Gayford took Ardern on a date, beginning the long-term relationship between the two.

The wedding function was held in Hawke”s Bay at Craggy Range Winery on the east coast of New Zealand”s North Island. The photos of the wedding were released by the couple showing the smiling faces in the wedding dress. According to reports, several figures were present in the function, including Chris Hipkins, former Prime Minister and current opposition leader. There were about 50-75 people as guests