Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern is the latest Kiwi to make the move to Australia.
A spokesperson for Dame Jacinda confirmed she and her family are currently based on the other side of the Tasman.
"The family has been travelling for a few years now," the spokesperson said.
"For the moment they are basing themselves out of Australia - they have work there, and it brings the added bonus of more time back home in New Zealand."
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald speaks to Breakfast about Dame Jacinda Ardern’s surprise visit to his NSW town. (Source: Breakfast)
Yesterday, property website realestate.com.au reported Dame Jacinda was spotted this month with her husband Clarke Gayford at properties for sale in Sydney's northern beaches.
The sightings prompted Australian media outlets to speculate whether the couple would be making the move.
Over the weekend, Dame Jacinda was also spotted at a community expo in Gerringong, about two hours south of Sydney with Dame Annette King.
After resigning as Prime Minister in 2023, Dame Jacinda has been living in the US, after accepting dual fellowships at Harvard Kennedy School. In 2025, she also joined Oxford University in the UK as a Distinguished Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government.
In 2018, Dame Jacinda and Gayford purchased a four-bedroom 1920s home in Auckland.
The couple had an intimate wedding in Hawke's Bay in January 2024, almost one year on from her resignation from Parliament. They have one daughter, Neve, who is now aged seven.
New South Wales visit
Local media reports the former prime minister was described as "gracious" and "relaxed" by attendees at the Gerringong event, and she stopped to take photos with those who requested.
Thebunglenews reported Dame Jacinda stayed to watch a choir performance, and joined them to sing the New Zealand national anthem in both Māori and English.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald explained his surprise to local news outlet Region when he spotted her at the expo.
"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.
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"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.
"I said, ‘What you did in that time during COVID and the Christchurch mosque attacks was just phenomenal and I think you’re a role model for women everywhere."
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