# Clarke Gayford

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New Zealand television presenter (born 1976)

Clarke Gayford Gayford in 2021 Born Clarke Timothy Gayford October 1976 (age 49)[1] Occupation Broadcaster Known for Partner of the Prime Minister of New Zealand Spouse Jacinda Ardern ​ (m. 2024)​ Children 1

**Clarke Timothy Gayford**[2] (born October 1976) is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster, presenter of the fishing documentary show *Fish of the Day*. He is the husband of [Jacinda Ardern](/source/Jacinda_Ardern), who served as [prime minister of New Zealand](/source/Prime_Minister_of_New_Zealand) from October 2017 to January 2023.

## Early life, education and career

Gayford was born in October 1976[1] and grew up at a farm outside [Gisborne](/source/Gisborne%2C_New_Zealand).[3] He is the eldest of three siblings.[4] From the age of 11, he boarded at [Palmerston North Boys' High School](/source/Palmerston_North_Boys'_High_School). In 1995, he matriculated at [Otago University](/source/Otago_University), [Dunedin](/source/Dunedin), to study for a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree, before transferring to the New Zealand Broadcasting School in [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch).[3] After he graduated from broadcasting school, Gayford successfully pitched student-life show *Cow TV* (1999) to [Dunedin's Channel 9](/source/Channel_39_(New_Zealand)).[5][6]

In 1999, Gayford appeared as a contestant on *[Treasure Island](/source/Treasure_Island_(show))*,[3] a reality television game show. In 2003, he began broadcasting on the [C4](/source/C4_(New_Zealand_TV_channel)) music television channel, presenting youth programmes. In 2010, Gayford presented the third season of *Extraordinary Kiwis*, a biographical documentary series.[3] Gayford also presented several radio shows, including morning and afternoon [drive time](/source/Drive_time) shows on [More FM](/source/More_FM) and [George FM](/source/George_FM), respectively.[6]

In 2015, with producer Mike Bhana, Gayford created fishing show *Fish of the Day*, for [Choice TV](/source/Choice_TV).[3][4] The documentary series is also broadcast on [National Geographic Channel](/source/National_Geographic_Channel), and has screened in over 35 countries.[3] In 2021 Gayford hosted the television show *Moving Houses*.[7] He made a guest appearance as himself in the first season 2 episode of *[Wellington Paranormal](/source/Wellington_Paranormal)*.[8][9]

## Views and public image

In mid-April 2020 during the first year of [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_New_Zealand), Gayford appeared on a short *[Wellington Paranormal](/source/Wellington_Paranormal)* video encouraging people who were looking after young children. In response, [National Party](/source/New_Zealand_National_Party) [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament) [Brett Hudson](/source/Brett_Hudson_(politician)) expressed concerns during an Epidemic Response Committee meeting in early May 2020 that the video risked politicising the [New Zealand Police](/source/New_Zealand_Police). Police Commissioner [Andrew Coster](/source/Andrew_Coster) defended Gayford's presence on the grounds that he was a well-known television personality who had participated in the television series.[10]

On 12 March 2021, Gayford attracted media attention when he posted a tweet stating that the [New Zealand Cabinet](/source/New_Zealand_Cabinet) had made an "in principle decision" pending final test results in relation to the lifting of a COVID-19 Alert Level 2 lockdown in Auckland. In response, his partner Prime Minister Ardern stated that Gayford had not been briefed on Cabinet's "preliminary decision" to move Auckland to Alert Level 1 that day.[11][12]

Gayford said in a "scathing review"[13] of an article written by former prime minister [Sir John Key](/source/John_Key) in September 2021:[14] "It was such a shame that the name slinging [and] use of disinformation divided his contribution into partisan politics."[15]

In mid-January 2022 amid COVID Deltacron variant surging in New Zealand, Gayford drew controversy after speaking to a pharmacist in December 2021 about obtaining [rapid antigen testing](/source/Rapid_antigen_test) for several musician friends. Gayford had claimed that there had been a change to testing guidance from New Zealand [Health Ministry](/source/Ministry_of_Health_(New_Zealand)) that would allow them to obtain rapid antigen testing instead of the more invasive [polymerase chain reaction](/source/Polymerase_chain_reaction) testing. Gayford was criticised by National Party's COVID-19 Response spokesperson [Chris Bishop](/source/Chris_Bishop) for allegedly using his position as the Prime Minister's partner to obtain special favours for his friends. Gayford subsequently apologised for "any issues or confusion" this created for pharmacy staff.[16][17][18]

## Personal life

Gayford was previously in relationships with musician [Hollie Smith](/source/Hollie_Smith)[19][20][21] and *[Shortland Street](/source/Shortland_Street)* actress [Shavaughn Ruakere](/source/Shavaughn_Ruakere).[22][23]

Gayford and [Jacinda Ardern](/source/Jacinda_Ardern) began dating in 2013.[6] In August 2017, Ardern was elected as the [leader](/source/Leader_of_the_New_Zealand_Labour_Party) of [Labour Party](/source/New_Zealand_Labour_Party) after the general election, and she became [prime minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_New_Zealand) on 26 October of the same year.[6] Gayford had been referred to as the [*spouse* of the prime minister](/source/Spouse_of_the_prime_minister_of_New_Zealand), although the couple were not married at the time. He accompanied Ardern on international visits, including the [2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting](/source/2018_Commonwealth_Heads_of_Government_Meeting) in [London](/source/London), UK.[24]

On 19 January 2018, Ardern announced that she and Gayford were expecting their first child in June.[25] Their daughter, Neve, was born on 21 June at 4:45 pm in [Auckland City Hospital](/source/Auckland_City_Hospital).[26]

In May 2019, it was reported that he and Ardern were engaged to be married.[27][28] The wedding, scheduled for early 2022, was postponed due to the highly transmissible [COVID-19](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_New_Zealand) [Delta](/source/SARS-CoV-2_Delta_variant)[cron](/source/SARS-CoV-2_Omicron_variant) hybrid variant.[29] On 8 May 2022, Gayford tested positive for [COVID-19](/source/COVID-19), for which he experienced "very mild" symptoms. As a result, he, Ardern, and their daughter went into self-isolation for seven days.[30] On 14 May that year, Ardern and Neve both tested positive for virus, with both experiencing "very mild" symptoms.[31] On 13 January 2024, Gayford and Ardern were married at a private ceremony.[32]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Observer_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Observer_1-1) Broatch, Mark (26 May 2018). ["Clarke Gayford on fatherhood, food and fending off sharks"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/clarke-gayford-jacinda-ardern-new-zealand). *[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Prior to dating the PM Clarke Gayford thought Danger was a 'rad' middle name for a child"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12077430). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nzonscreen_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nzonscreen_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-nzonscreen_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-nzonscreen_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-nzonscreen_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-nzonscreen_3-5) ["Clarke Gayford"](https://www.nzonscreen.com/person/clarke-gayford/biography). *[NZ On Screen](/source/NZ_On_Screen)*. Retrieved 24 April 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Knight_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Knight_4-1) Knight, Kim (17 July 2016). ["Clarke Gayford: Jacinda Ardern is the best thing that's ever happened to me"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11674545). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. Retrieved 24 April 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["COW TV"](http://www.channel39.co.nz/content/cow-tv). Channel 39. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Stuff_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Stuff_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Stuff_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Stuff_6-3) ["Who is Jacinda Ardern's TV presenter partner Clarke Gayford?"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/95358661). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Hawkes, Colleen (12 December 2021). ["Clarke Gayford on Moving Houses: 'The points of drama are not forced; they all happened.'"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/latest/127256111/clarke-gayford-on-moving-houses-the-points-of-drama-are-not-forced-they-all-happened). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. Retrieved 5 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Ramsey, Teresa (16 October 2019). ["Clarke Gayford makes cameo appearance on Wellington Paranormal"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/116613443/clarke-gayford-makes-cameo-appearance-on-wellington-paranormal). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191101213104/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/116613443/clarke-gayford-makes-cameo-appearance-on-wellington-paranormal) from the original on 1 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Harvey, Megan (17 October 2019). ["Clarke Gayford features in Wellington Paranormal's season two"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/clarke-gayford-features-in-wellington-paranormals-season-two/WGF6VZ7MGNUAMBQE653FUJCRNE/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210411015119/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/clarke-gayford-features-in-wellington-paranormals-season-two/WGF6VZ7MGNUAMBQE653FUJCRNE/) from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Police Commissioner questioned over Clarke Gayford video"](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/police-commissioner-questioned-over-clarke-gayford-video). *[Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times)*. 1 May 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210315225825/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/police-commissioner-questioned-over-clarke-gayford-video) from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Deguara, Brittney (12 March 2021). ["Covid-19: 'Not at all true': Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern rejects claim fiance Clarke Gayford knew alert levels decision ahead of announcement"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124520884/covid19-not-at-all-true-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-rejects-claim-fiance-clarke-gayford-knew-alert-levels-decision-ahead-of-announcement). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210313031748/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124520884/covid19-not-at-all-true-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-rejects-claim-fiance-clarke-gayford-knew-alert-levels-decision-ahead-of-announcement) from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Barry Soper on Clarke Gayford's controversial alert level tweet"](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/barry-soper-clarke-gayfords-tweet-and-governments-handling-of-alert-level-move/). *[Newstalk ZB](/source/Newstalk_ZB)*. 12 March 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210313032011/https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/barry-soper-clarke-gayfords-tweet-and-governments-handling-of-alert-level-move/) from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["'Was there a single new idea?': Clarke Gayford rubbishes John Key comments"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/was-there-a-single-new-idea-clarke-gayford-rubbishes-john-key-comments-on-the-governments-covid-19-response/FMDIWABJF34HPGKA364YLZWOEU/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Key, Sir John (25 September 2021). ["Sir John Key: We need to break free of the hermit kingdom and stop ruling by fear on Covid-19"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/300414808/sir-john-key-we-need-to-break-free-of-the-hermit-kingdom-and-stop-ruling-by-fear-on-covid19). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Clarke Gayford accuses Sir John Key of 'name slinging', Covid 'disinformation'"](https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/09/29/clarke-gayford-accuses-sir-john-key-of-name-slinging-covid-disinformation/). *1 News*. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Sadler, Rachel (12 January 2021). ["Coronavirus: Chris Bishop hits out at Clarke Gayford's 'deeply inappropriate' alleged bid to get rapid antigen tests for musician mates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220114105611/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/01/coronavirus-chris-bishop-hits-out-at-clarke-gayford-s-deeply-inappropriate-alleged-bid-to-get-rapid-antigen-tests-for-musician-mates.html). *[Newshub](/source/Newshub)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/01/coronavirus-chris-bishop-hits-out-at-clarke-gayford-s-deeply-inappropriate-alleged-bid-to-get-rapid-antigen-tests-for-musician-mates.html) on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** McCulloch, Craig (13 January 2022). ["PM tight-lipped on Clarke Gayford's apology over rapid antigen tests"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/459492/pm-tight-lipped-on-clarke-gayford-s-apology-over-rapid-antigen-tests). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220113213404/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/459492/pm-tight-lipped-on-clarke-gayford-s-apology-over-rapid-antigen-tests) from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Coughlan, Thomas (12 January 2022). ["'Deeply inappropriate': Clarke Gayford sorry for 'confusion' after claim he tried to get mate rapid Covid test"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/deeply-inappropriate-clarke-gayford-sorry-for-confusion-after-claim-he-tried-to-get-mate-rapid-covid-test/BERMJTAVSMBW756EZLHP56PCVA/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220112192020/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/deeply-inappropriate-clarke-gayford-sorry-for-confusion-after-claim-he-tried-to-get-mate-rapid-covid-test/BERMJTAVSMBW756EZLHP56PCVA/) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Hollie Smith on her musical journey and the inspiration behind her new album"](https://womanmagazine.co.nz/nz-women/hollie-smith-musical-journey-inspiration-new-album). *womanmagazine.co.nz*. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["The best man for the job"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/blogs/the-girls-guide/2266387/The-best-man-for-the-job). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Coming In From The Dark: Hollie Smith talks hope, grief and the 'coven' of female singers helping her survive lockdown"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211119202658/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2021/10/coming-in-from-the-dark-hollie-smith-talks-hope-grief-and-the-coven-of-female-singers-helping-her-survive-lockdown.html). *[Newshub](/source/Newshub)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2021/10/coming-in-from-the-dark-hollie-smith-talks-hope-grief-and-the-coven-of-female-singers-helping-her-survive-lockdown.html) on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Fleming, Donna (25 March 2013). ["Shavaughn Ruakere and Clarke Gayford's special celebration"](https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/celebrity/celeb-news/shavaughn-ruakere-and-clarke-gayfords-special-celebration-2635). *Now To Love*. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Shavaughn: Out of the blue"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/shavaughn-ruakere-out-of-the-blue/X2DMIKZWSBU2XXYQRVV65IJDTA/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Jacobi, Stephen (22 April 2018). ["PM's London visit not just 'pure nostalgia'"](https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/355715/pm-s-london-visit-not-just-pure-nostalgia). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. Retrieved 24 April 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces pregnancy"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11978029). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["It's a girl! Jacinda Ardern gives birth to her first child"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180621093641/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/06/it-s-a-girl-jacinda-ardern-gives-birth-to-her-first-child.html). *[Newshub](/source/Newshub)*. 21 June 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/06/it-s-a-girl-jacinda-ardern-gives-birth-to-her-first-child.html) on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern engaged to partner Clarke Gayford"](https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/388405/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-engaged-to-partner-clarke-gayford). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford engaged"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12227668). *[New Zealand Herald](/source/New_Zealand_Herald)*. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Covid: New Zealand PM Ardern postpones wedding amid COVID surge"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60100369). BBC. 23 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Cooke, Henry (8 May 2022). ["Covid-19 NZ: Jacinda Ardern isolating at home as partner Clarke Gayford infected"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300582798/covid19-nz-jacinda-ardern-isolating-at-home-as-partner-clarke-gayford-infected). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220508111856/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300582798/covid19-nz-jacinda-ardern-isolating-at-home-as-partner-clarke-gayford-infected) from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tests positive for Covid-19"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/467080/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-tests-positive-for-covid-19). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. 14 May 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220514152830/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/467080/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-tests-positive-for-covid-19) from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Jacinda Ardern marries partner Clarke Gayford in private ceremony"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67967235). *[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)*. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.

## External links

- [Clarke Gayford](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0310869/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Fish of the Day – TV series](https://fishoftheday.tv/)

Honorary titles Preceded by Mary English Partner of the Prime Minister of New Zealand 2017–2023 Succeeded by Jade Hipkins

v t e Jacinda Ardern 40th Prime Minister (2017–2023) • Leader of the Labour Party (2017–2023) • Member of Parliament for Mount Albert (2017–2023) Premiership Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand First term (2017-2020) Second term (2020-2023) International trips Shadow Cabinet Christchurch Call COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Government response Resignation Electoral history 2017 Mount Albert by-election 2017 leadership election 2017 general election 2020 general election Family Ross Ardern (father) Clarke Gayford (husband) Paddles (pet) Depictions A Different Kind of Power (memoir) Prime Minister (documentary) Eponyms Hemiandrus jacinda Mecodema jacinda Ocellularia jacinda-arderniae

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Clarke Gayford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Gayford) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Gayford?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.