Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Relocates to Australia with Family

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially relocated to Australia with her family, her spokesperson has confirmed, ending months of speculation about the high-profile family's next chapter.

In a statement to the Guardian, Ardern's office disclosed that the family, who have been travelling extensively since her departure from politics, are now basing themselves out of Australia due to work commitments. The move also offers the added advantage of being closer to their home country of New Zealand.

Rumours of the family's relocation had been circulating since Thursday, when Australian media reported that Ardern, her husband Clarke Gayford, and their seven-year-old daughter Neve were spotted attending open home viewings in Sydney's northern beaches area.

Ardern, who became the world's youngest-serving female leader in 2017 at the age of 37, stepped down as Prime Minister in January 2023, citing burnout and the toll the role had taken on her personally. Her six-year tenure was marked by a series of unprecedented crises, including the Christchurch mosque attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the tragic White Island volcanic eruption.

Since leaving office, Ardern has maintained a significant international profile. She accepted dual fellowship roles at Harvard University, where she has been working on leadership and online extremism initiatives. She has also continued her advocacy through the Christchurch Call, a global partnership she established to eliminate terrorist content online following the 2019 mosque shootings.

Additionally, Ardern joined the board of trustees for Prince William's Earthshot Prize, an environmental initiative aimed at discovering and scaling solutions to repair the planet. In 2025, she released her memoir, offering insights into her time in office and the challenges of modern leadership.

The family's move to Australia comes at a sensitive time for New Zealand, which is currently experiencing record levels of emigration as citizens seek better economic opportunities abroad. More than 60% of those leaving are heading to Australia, where average weekly earnings are significantly higher and New Zealand citizens enjoy full work and residency rights.

While Ardern's spokesperson did not specify the exact nature of the work drawing the family to Australia, the relocation underscores the ongoing challenge New Zealand faces in retaining its talent and high-profile figures.

Ardern made history during her time in office as only the second elected head of government to give birth while serving, and her compassionate yet decisive leadership style earned her international recognition as a progressive icon during a period when many Western democracies were shifting towards more populist politics.