Jacinda Ardern Explores Australian Real Estate Amid Growing Kiwi Migration
Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, has been spotted house hunting in Australia with her husband Clarke Gayford and their seven-year-old daughter Neve. This move aligns with a significant trend of New Zealanders relocating overseas, particularly to Australia, for new opportunities.
Family's International Journey Since Resignation
Since resigning from office in 2023, Ardern and her family have been on the move, initially relocating to the United States. A spokesperson for Ardern confirmed to 1News that the family has been traveling for several years and is now basing themselves in Australia. "They have work there, and it brings the added bonus of more time back home in New Zealand," the spokesperson explained.
Record Numbers of New Zealanders Moving to Australia
Data from the Australian Department of Home Affairs reveals a substantial increase in Kiwi migration. Between July 2023 and June 2025, over 92,000 New Zealanders applied for Australian citizenship. In 2024 alone, 30,000 made the move, marking the highest figure in over a decade.
House Hunting in Sydney's Northern Beaches
Ardern's Australian venture was confirmed after realestate.com.au reported sightings of her viewing properties in Sydney's Northern Beaches. This affluent area, where typical house prices exceed $2.8 million, includes suburbs like Palm Beach, famous as the filming location for the TV series Home and Away.
The family was seen at homes for sale in beachside suburbs such as Curl Curl and Freshwater, and they also dined at a Mexican restaurant in Dee Why. Beyond Sydney, Ardern made a surprise appearance at a community expo in Gerringong, a small town in New South Wales with a population of about 4,165.
Warm Welcome from Local Officials
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, who attended the Gerringong event, shared his excitement on LinkedIn. "Like many people, I’ve long admired Jacinda’s leadership style – particularly her clarity, composure and ability to communicate in difficult moments," he wrote. "It was a pleasure to exchange a few words and welcome both her and Dame Annette to our region." Ardern was accompanied by Dame Annette King, her former mentor and retired New Zealand High Commissioner.
Ardern's Post-Political Career and Personal Life
At 37, Ardern became the world's youngest-serving female leader in 2017 and was the second woman to give birth while in office. Since stepping down, she has pursued academic roles, including as a dual fellow at Harvard University and a distinguished fellow at Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government in 2025.
She continues to work on the Christchurch Call, an initiative she founded to combat online extremism following the Christchurch mosque shootings. In 2025, she released her memoir, A Different Kind of Power. Personally, Ardern married Clarke Gayford, a New Zealand TV and radio broadcaster, in 2023 at Craggy Range vineyard in Hawke's Bay.
This development highlights not only Ardern's personal transition but also the broader migration patterns of New Zealanders seeking new horizons in Australia.
