On Friday, a spokesperson for Ardern said the couple became engaged over the Easter holiday break.
The couple of over 5 years have made no public announcement of the engagement. The news only broke on Friday, after a journalist spotted a ring on her middle finger and asked her office about it. In classic low-key New Zealand style, she had been wearing the ring since Monday without notice.
Last year, the couple welcomed their first child, Neve Gayford, who is now 10 months old. Ardern is only the second elected world leader in history to give birth while in office, after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990.
In January 2018, Ardern announced her first pregnancy, tweeting that she was excited to join the long list of parents juggling the two hats of work and family.
We thought 2017 was a big year! This year we’ll join the many parents who wear two hats. I’ll be PM & a mum while Clarke will be “first man of fishing” & stay at home dad. There will be lots of questions (I can assure you we have a plan all ready to go!) but for now bring on 2018 pic.twitter.com/nowAYOhAbF
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) January 18, 2018
The couple have shattered assumptions about gender roles, after they decided Gayford would become a stay-at-home father. In taking on the role, he’s paved the way for other fathers to do the same.
From her position of leadership, Ardern has reminded women that it’s possible to pursue our ambitions while having a family.
Congratulations Jacinda and Clarke ❤️ https://t.co/mfxc5xZAt7
— New Zealand Labour (@nzlabour) May 3, 2019