You probably remember the image of her leaving the Beehive for the last time—that weary but resolute smile that told the world she’d given everything she had. When Jacinda Ardern stepped down as New Zealand’s Prime Minister in early 2023, she famously said she no longer had "enough in the tank."
But where do you go when the tank is empty, but the world still wants a piece of your mind?
Honestly, the answer has shifted quite a bit over the last few years. If you’re looking for her in the supermarket aisles of Sandringham, Auckland, you’re mostly out of luck these days. As of early 2026, the woman who redefined empathetic leadership is living a life that spans continents, though her primary base has transitioned from the ivy-covered walls of Massachusetts to the historic streets of the United Kingdom.
Where is Jacinda Ardern living in 2026?
Right now, Jacinda Ardern has officially moved to the United Kingdom.
After a high-profile two-year stint in the United States, she relocated to the UK in late 2025. This wasn't just a random move for a change of scenery. It was a strategic shift to join the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford as a Distinguished Fellow.
It's a bit of a full-circle moment. Before she was "Aunty Cindy" to a nation, she worked in London as a senior policy advisor in the UK Cabinet Office. Returning to England feels less like a brand-new adventure and more like a return to familiar territory, albeit with a much higher security detail this time around.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts Era
For a long time, the answer to "where does Jacinda Ardern live now" was Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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In 2023 and 2024, she was deeply embedded at Harvard University. She held triple fellowships at the Harvard Kennedy School, serving as the Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow and a Hauser Leader. She wasn't just there for the prestige; she was actually doing the work, mentoring students and diving into the "Christchurch Call"—her ongoing mission to scrub extremist content from the internet.
Living in the States gave her and her husband, Clarke Gayford, a level of anonymity they hadn't felt in years. Imagine being one of the most famous women on the planet and being able to walk down a street where most people just think you're another academic in a trench coat. That was her reality for a while.
Why she left New Zealand (for now)
Don't get it twisted: Ardern still calls New Zealand "home." She’s been very vocal about the fact that her heart is in the Southern Hemisphere. But let's be real—staying in NZ immediately after resigning would have been a nightmare.
Every time she’d go for a coffee, it would be a political statement. By moving abroad, she gave herself, her successor Chris Hipkins, and the New Zealand public some much-needed breathing room. Plus, the roles she’s taking on—like being a trustee for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize—require a global presence that’s hard to maintain from a 12-hour flight away in Wellington.
What is she actually doing these days?
She isn't just sitting in a flat in London or Oxford sipping tea. Her 2026 schedule is packed with the kind of high-level advocacy that usually defines the "post-presidency" years of global titans.
- The Christchurch Call: She remains the Special Envoy for this initiative. It’s her "baby," born from the tragedy of the 2019 mosque attacks. She spends a huge chunk of her time meeting with tech giants and world leaders to talk about algorithmic harms.
- The Matariki Fund: More recently, she's been putting her weight behind maternal health. She recently stepped in to help rescue a program focused on preventing postpartum hemorrhage in conflict zones like South Sudan.
- Author Life: She recently released her memoir, A Different Kind of Power. It’s not your typical "here’s why my rivals were wrong" political book. It’s more of a reflection on how empathy can be a tool of governance. It’s been a bestseller, though it hasn't been without controversy.
The Adelaide Writers' Week Controversy
Just this month, in January 2026, Ardern made headlines again for not being somewhere. She was scheduled to appear at the Adelaide Writers' Week in Australia to discuss her book. However, she pulled out of the event in protest after the festival board rescinded an invitation to a Palestinian-Australian academic.
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It shows that even though she’s out of office, her "brand" is still tied to the idea of being a principled, values-based leader. She’s not just chasing a paycheck; she’s still very much playing the "conscience of the world" card.
Life with Clarke and Neve
One of the biggest questions fans have is how Neve is doing. The "First Baby" of New Zealand is now school-aged. Moving a young child across the world twice in three years is no joke, but by all accounts, the family has adapted well to the "global nomad" lifestyle.
Clarke Gayford, who put his own high-profile career as a TV presenter on hold to be the primary caregiver and "First Man," has been her constant support. While he’s been spotted at fishing spots in the UK and near the Charles River in Boston, he’s mostly focused on supporting Jacinda’s academic and diplomatic roles.
What people often get wrong about her move
A lot of critics in New Zealand claim she "abandoned" the country or is "fleeing" the consequences of her policies. Honestly, that feels a bit cynical.
If you look at the trajectory of former world leaders like Barack Obama or Tony Blair, the path Ardern is taking is incredibly standard. You lead, you burn out, you go to a prestigious university to download your brain into the next generation, and you take on global humanitarian roles.
She hasn't "renounced" New Zealand. She still maintains a residence there, and family members have indicated she returns for the summer holidays (New Zealand's December/January).
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How to follow her journey
If you’re looking for a play-by-play of her life in the UK, you won't find it on a daily vlog. Ardern has pulled back significantly from the "constant access" style of her PM days. She uses her Instagram primarily for major announcements or to highlight the causes she’s working on.
If you really want to see her in action, look for guest lectures at Oxford or appearances at major climate summits. She's leaned heavily into the "Elder Stateswoman" role, focusing on:
- Climate Change (via Earthshot)
- Online Safety (via Christchurch Call)
- Empathetic Leadership (via her university fellowships)
Final Thoughts on her current status
So, where does Jacinda Ardern live now? She lives in the United Kingdom, specifically split between Oxford and London, serving as a Distinguished Fellow and global advocate.
She’s no longer the one making the laws, but she’s very much the one teaching the people who will make them in the future. It’s a quieter life, sure, but in terms of global influence, she might actually be more powerful now than she was in Wellington.
If you’re interested in following the work she’s doing now, the best move is to track the official updates from the Blavatnik School of Government or the Christchurch Call official site. These organizations provide the most accurate look at her current professional commitments without the tabloid fluff. You can also pick up her memoir if you want the "insider" perspective on why she chose to walk away when she did.