Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern married her long-time partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony on Saturday (Jan 13) after delays due to stringent COVID-19 rules in the country imposed by her government. The couple tied the knot after an almost five-year engagement and around a decade of being together.&nbsp;

<h2>About the ceremony</h2>

The wedding ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon&nbsp;in Hawke’s Bay at Craggy Range Winery on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, said her spokesperson. According to a report by news site Stuff, Ardern (43) and Gayford (47) tied the knot in front of some 50 to 75 guests.&nbsp;

The wedding&nbsp;comes nearly a year after (January 19), when Ardern resigned as prime minister. During her final speech in parliament, Ardern told Gayford, a New Zealand television presenter, “Let’s finally get married.”&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: New Zealand premier Jacinda Ardern steps down

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The couple, who also have a five-year-old daughter named Neve, first met about a decade ago, and got engaged in 2019.&nbsp;

Images of the wedding shared by the New Zealand media show the former PM in a dress by fashion designer Juliette Hogan paired with a long veil and Gayford in a black suit reportedly custom-made by the country’s fashion house Zambesi.

It has been reported that only the couple’s family, close friends and a few of the 43-year-old former PM’s colleagues were invited, including her successor and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chris-hipkins-to-replace-jacinda-arden-as-new-zealands-next-prime-minister-554613">ex-PM Chris Hipkins</a> and his partner Tony Grace.&nbsp;

The wedding was officiated by the couple’s friend and former Deputy PM Grant Robertson, said Ardern’s spokesperson.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Such is life’</h2>

The wedding, which was reportedly supposed to take place in the summer of 2022, was postponed due to Ardern’s government’s strict COVID-19 policies and her “go hard, go early” approach to the pandemic, which helped keep the spread of the deadly virus in check in New Zealand.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jacinda-ardern-quits-prominent-politicians-believe-abuse-personal-attacks-drove-her-towards-decision-554382">Jacinda Ardern resignation: Did abuse, personal attacks drive her to the decision?</a>

In line with this, gatherings were limited to 100 people amid the Omicron variant surge. “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,” she told reporters while announcing that she had called off the wedding for now, adding “Such is life.”

Ardern became a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jacinda-ardern-becomes-new-zealands-most-popular-prime-minister-after-covid-19-response-poll-299424">global icon</a> for her left-leaning politics and was among one of the most prominent women in leadership when she led the country between 2017 to January 2023. She was also one of just two women to have a baby while serving as a national leader.&nbsp;

Her resignation five-and-a-half years after serving as the PM last year came as a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-just-happened-reason-for-jacinda-arderns-shocking-resignation-as-new-zealand-prime-minister-554061">shock to New Zealanders</a>. Ardern, at the time, had said she no longer had “enough in the tank” to do the job justice.&nbsp;

Around six months ago, the former PM joined Harvard University where she has been undertaking three fellowships.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Wedding crashers’</h2>

On Saturday morning, the police met with a small group of protesters who opposed the vaccine mandates imposed by Ardern’s government and that ended in 2022.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-christopher-luxon-sworn-in-as-new-prime-minister-663240">New Zealand: Conservative Christopher Luxon sworn in as new prime minister</a>

The protesters had also plastered a wall with dozens of anti-vaccination posters outside the venue, according to the Associated Press.&nbsp;

One protester was also seen holding a sign that read, “Lest we forget jab mandates,” on the outskirts of the property, reported the AP.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern married her long-time partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony on Saturday (Jan 13) after delays due to stringent COVID-19 rules in the country imposed by her government.

Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern married her long-time partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony on Saturday (Jan 13) after delays due to stringent COVID-19 rules in the country imposed by her government. The couple tied the knot after an almost five-year engagement and around a decade of being together. About the ceremony The wedding ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon in Hawke’s Bay at Craggy Range Winery on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, said her spokesperson. According to a report by news site Stuff, Ardern (43) and Gayford (47) tied the knot in front of some 50 to 75 guests. The wedding comes nearly a year after (January 19), when Ardern resigned as prime minister. During her final speech in parliament, Ardern told Gayford, a New Zealand television presenter, “Let’s finally get married.” WATCH | Gravitas: New Zealand premier Jacinda Ardern steps down The couple, who also have a five-year-old daughter named Neve, first met about a decade ago, and got engaged in 2019. Images of the wedding shared by the New Zealand media show the former PM in a dress by fashion designer Juliette Hogan paired with a long veil and Gayford in a black suit reportedly custom-made by the country’s fashion house Zambesi. It has been reported that only the couple’s family, close friends and a few of the 43-year-old former PM’s colleagues were invited, including her successor and ex-PM Chris Hipkins and his partner Tony Grace. The wedding was officiated by the couple’s friend and former Deputy PM Grant Robertson, said Ardern’s spokesperson. ‘Such is life’ The wedding, which was reportedly supposed to take place in the summer of 2022, was postponed due to Ardern’s government’s strict COVID-19 policies and her “go hard, go early” approach to the pandemic, which helped keep the spread of the deadly virus in check in New Zealand. ALSO READ | Jacinda Ardern resignation: Did abuse, personal attacks drive her to the decision? In line with this, gatherings were limited to 100 people amid the Omicron variant surge. “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,” she told reporters while announcing that she had called off the wedding for now, adding “Such is life.” Ardern became a global icon for her left-leaning politics and was among one of the most prominent women in leadership when she led the country between 2017 to January 2023. She was also one of just two women to have a baby while serving as a national leader. Her resignation five-and-a-half years after serving as the PM last year came as a shock to New Zealanders. Ardern, at the time, had said she no longer had “enough in the tank” to do the job justice. Around six months ago, the former PM joined Harvard University where she has been undertaking three fellowships. ‘Wedding crashers’ On Saturday morning, the police met with a small group of protesters who opposed the vaccine mandates imposed by Ardern’s government and that ended in 2022. ALSO READ | New Zealand: Conservative Christopher Luxon sworn in as new prime minister The protesters had also plastered a wall with dozens of anti-vaccination posters outside the venue, according to the Associated Press. One protester was also seen holding a sign that read, “Lest we forget jab mandates,” on the outskirts of the property, reported the AP. (With inputs from agencies)

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern marries long-time partner Clarke Gayford

New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern was accorded one of New Zealand's top honours, Dame Grand Companion, for her efforts in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques and the White Island volcanic eruption.

The 42-year-old received the state honours on King Charles' birthday holiday, which the country celebrated on June 5..

Usually, New Zealand’s prime minister recommends the awardee, and is then sent to the British monarch, the head of state, for approval.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins praised his predecessor, saying that Ardern was recognised for her service during some of the “greatest challenges New Zealand had faced in modern times”.

"Leading New Zealand's response to the 2019 terrorist attacks and to the COVID-19 pandemic represented periods of intense challenge for our 40th Prime Minister, during which time I saw first-hand that her commitment to New Zealand remained absolute," Hipkins said.

After assuming the premiership in 2017, Ardern resigned in January in a shock announcement, saying she had "no more in the tank" to lead New Zealand.

She said that she felt "incredibly humbled" to receive the honour but was in "two minds" to accept it as the efforts for which she was getting recognised for "were about all of us rather than one individual."

"But I have heard that said by so many Kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honour over the years," Ardern said in a statement.

"And so for me this a way to say thank you - to my family, to my colleagues, and to the people who supported me to take on the most challenging and rewarding role of my life."

<h2>How was New Zealand’s Covid response?</h2>

Ardern was lauded domestically for keeping New Zealand largely free from Covid until the end of 2021 due to the government’s swift response and geographic isolation.

But not everything was hunky-dory was the Ardern administration had to face the wrath over vaccine mandates and strict border closures, which prompted protests last year.

The government's financial response was also blamed by some political opposition parties for contributing to three-decade-high inflation.

<h2>Mosque attacks</h2>

The former prime minister was widely praised for showing compassion to the survivors and the families of the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks that left 51 dead. She also swiftly tightened firearms control in New Zealand, following the attack.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern was accorded one of New Zealand's top honours, Dame Grand Companion, for her efforts in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques and the White Island volcanic eruption.

New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern was accorded one of New Zealand's top honours, Dame Grand Companion, for her efforts in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques and the White Island volcanic eruption. The 42-year-old received the state honours on King Charles' birthday holiday, which the country celebrated on June 5.. Usually, New Zealand’s prime minister recommends the awardee, and is then sent to the British monarch, the head of state, for approval. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins praised his predecessor, saying that Ardern was recognised for her service during some of the “greatest challenges New Zealand had faced in modern times”. "Leading New Zealand's response to the 2019 terrorist attacks and to the COVID-19 pandemic represented periods of intense challenge for our 40th Prime Minister, during which time I saw first-hand that her commitment to New Zealand remained absolute," Hipkins said. After assuming the premiership in 2017, Ardern resigned in January in a shock announcement, saying she had "no more in the tank" to lead New Zealand. She said that she felt "incredibly humbled" to receive the honour but was in "two minds" to accept it as the efforts for which she was getting recognised for "were about all of us rather than one individual." "But I have heard that said by so many Kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honour over the years," Ardern said in a statement. "And so for me this a way to say thank you - to my family, to my colleagues, and to the people who supported me to take on the most challenging and rewarding role of my life." How was New Zealand’s Covid response? Ardern was lauded domestically for keeping New Zealand largely free from Covid until the end of 2021 due to the government’s swift response and geographic isolation. But not everything was hunky-dory was the Ardern administration had to face the wrath over vaccine mandates and strict border closures, which prompted protests last year. The government's financial response was also blamed by some political opposition parties for contributing to three-decade-high inflation. Mosque attacks The former prime minister was widely praised for showing compassion to the survivors and the families of the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks that left 51 dead. She also swiftly tightened firearms control in New Zealand, following the attack. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New Zealand ex-PM Jacinda Ardern gets top honour for leadership during Covid, terror attacks

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern accused Australia of abdicating its responsibilities by cancelling the citizenship of a woman detained in Turkey and accused of having links to the Islamic State.

Jacinda Ardern lashes at Australia in citizenship row over terror suspect

After securing a victory in the general elections, Jacinda Ardern announced her new cabinet on Sunday. Ardern's deputy is an openly gay man and her foreign minister belongs to the indigenous Maori community. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more about the world's most inclusive cabinet.

Gravitas: New Zealand Unveils World's Most Diverse Cabinet

Ardern appointed Grant Robertson as deputy prime minister, making him the first openly gay person to hold the role.

New Zealand gets tattooed Maori Foreign Minister, gay Deputy PM

The Coronavirus has returned to New Zealand. Jacinda Ardern is calling it a 'failure of the system'. What about the return of hate crimes? Isn't this a failure of the leadership? WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay has a report.

Gravitas: Has Jacinda Ardern failed as a leader?