Dame Jacinda Ardern has reportedly been house-hunting in Sydney, sparking speculation she is moving to Australia.
The former Prime Minister and husband Clarke Gayford were spotted inspecting properties on Sydney’s northern beaches, according to Australian site RealEstate.com.au, which did not specify when the visit took place.
The couple reportedly looked at homes in Freshwater, where the median house price is about A$3 million, and apartments fetch around A$1.25m.
They also viewed a property in Curl Curl where the median house is more than A$4m, and apartments sell for around A$1.58m.
Ardern would not be the first former New Zealand leader to jump the ditch. Sir John Key bought a A$5.7 million apartment in Sydney Harbour in 2020.
The couple were also spotted at a Mexican restaurant in the coastal suburb of Dee Why. The only Mexican venue listed in the area on Google Maps is Beach Burrito Co.
Ardern later turned up further down the coast, visiting the town of Gerringong, about two hours’ drive south of Sydney. Local news outlet Region Illawarra reported Ardern and Dame Annette King, New Zealand’s longest-serving female MP, were seen “quietly browsing” a community expo there last Saturday.
Ardern became Labour deputy leader in 2017 after King stepped down from the role.
Kiama mayor Cameron McDonald, whose city neighbours Gerringong, said he was tipped off that Ardern was in town and took the opportunity to introduce himself.
“Someone said, ‘The ex-Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, is over there’. I saw her and thought, my God, it is,” he said.
“I just walked over and said, ‘It’s a real thrill to meet you. I think New Zealand was very lucky to have you as a Prime Minister’.”
King had family ties to the area, McDonald said, explaining their visit.
Ardern resigned as Prime Minister on January 25, 2023, saying she “didn’t have enough in the tank”.
Since then, she has become a trustee of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, taken up dual fellowships at Harvard University and published a memoir, A Different Kind of Power, along with a children’s book, Mum’s Busy Work.
McDonald said Ardern mentioned a further book, aimed at teenagers, due out this year.
Gayford has remained in the entertainment industry and is producing a film titled Prime Minister, about Ardern’s rise to power.
Ardern has been approached for comment.