Who is Jacinda Ardern’s husband-to-be, Clarke Gayford – aka New Zealand’s ex ‘first bloke’? The country’s former prime minister will tie the knot with the Fish of the Day TV presenter this weekend

New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern is set to marry her beau Clarke Gayford at a luxurious venue this weekend.

According to Australian media, the nuptials will take place at the Craggy Range winery in the heart of the Hawke’s Bay region, which has a reported minimum spend of US$16,000 for such an event. The venue was named “the most Instagrammable vineyard in the world” in 2021, according to The New Zealand Herald.

The couple previously delayed their wedding due to a series of national tragedies Ardern had to deal with during her time in office, including the Christchurch terror attack, the White Island volcano eruption and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The lovebirds reportedly got engaged over Easter 2019, but Covid-19 restrictions came into force not long after. They were planning to tie the knot in 2022, but then decided to delay, according to British media.

“My wedding will not 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 said at the time, “I am no different to, dare I say, thousands of other New Zealanders.”

So who’s the man who’s been by Ardern’s side this whole time? Here’s what we know about Clarke Gayford.

What nationality is Clarke Gayford?

Gayford, 47, hails from the city of Gisborne, New Zealand, which is known for its wineries and surf beaches.

What does Clarke Gayford do for a living?

Gayford works as a television presenter. According to his profile on talent agency Johnson & Laird’s website, he was studying at the New Zealand Broadcasting School when he successfully pitched his first TV project, Cow TV, to Dunedin’s Channel 9.

He went on to work as a presenter for music channel C4, United Travel Getaway and Extraordinary Kiwis.