Spouse_of_the_Prime_Minister_of_New_Zealand

Spouse of the prime minister of New Zealand

Spouse of the prime minister of New Zealand

Unofficial New Zealand title

The spouse of the prime minister of New Zealand is the wife or husband of the New Zealand prime minister. The position is known as the partner of the prime minister of New Zealand when the prime minister is unmarried but is in a relationship. They are the hostess or host of Premier House. It is not an official office and, as such, they are not given a salary or official duties. When Henry Sewell became the country's first premier in 1856, his wife, Elizabeth Kittoe, became the first spouse to fill the role. The first husband to the prime minister was Burton Shipley, Jenny Shipley's husband, in 1997. The 23rd prime minister, Michael Joseph Savage, was a bachelor during his term, and prime minister Jacinda Ardern was never married to her partner Clarke Gayford during her tenure from 2017 to 2023. 41st prime minister, Chris Hipkins, is married, but has been separated from his wife, Jade Marie Hipkins, since 2022.[1]

Quick Facts Residence, Inaugural holder ...

Current

The current spouse of the prime minister of New Zealand is Amanda Luxon, as her husband became prime minister on 27 November 2023.[2]

Role

The prime minister's spouse has no official duties. Some earlier spouses stayed mainly at home and took little part in public life.

However, most recent prime ministers' spouses have been involved in charities or community organisations, working to raise public awareness, funds, and support for a range of causes. They generally assist their partners in political campaigns, and participate in official duties that come with the position, such as hosting foreign dignitaries, and, in particular, entertaining the spouses of dignitaries; accompanying the prime minister on national and international trips; and attending conferences and functions. They have attended the opening of Parliament; hosted visitors at Premier House; visited Buckingham Palace, the White House, or the Japanese Imperial Palace; and been present at royal coronations and conferences.

Official recognition

Some prime ministers' spouses have received official recognition for their services to the community with a damehood:

Muldoon was the first spouse of a prime minister to be provided with an official secretary for dealing with her correspondence.[3]

List of spouses

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^α Domestic partner; engaged since May 2019.[11]

* Incumbent's length of tenure last updated: 14 April 2024.

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Hipkins addresses marriage split as he asks for family's privacy". 1 News. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Amanda Luxon talks marriage, being in the public eye - and those biceps". The New Zealand Herald. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  3. [3]
    "Dame Thea Muldoon dies". Radio New Zealand News. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  4. [4]
    "Person – National Portrait Gallery".
  5. [5]
    Sale, Charles. "Daniel Pollen grave monument details".
  6. [6]
    Zealand, National Library of New. "Papers Past – DEATHS. (New Zealand Herald, 2 December 1903)".
  7. [7]
    "Marshall, Margaret, 1917–2004". National Library. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  8. [8]
    admin (1 May 2013). "Irene WATT Obituary – Auckland, Auckland". Legacy.com.
  9. [9]
    Chateau, Carroll du (7 December 2001). "The English Doctor". The New Zealand Herald.
  10. [10]
    "The spotlight on Jacinda Ardern's TV presenter partner Clarke Gayford". stuff. 2 August 2017.
  11. [11]
    "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford engaged". The New Zealand Herald. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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