Jacinda Ardern reveals the romantic way her now-fiance proposed to her and that he DIDN'T get down on one knee – and the real reason she didn't wear the sparkler on her ring finger
- NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says her recent engagement was a surprise
- Confirmed last week partner Clarke Gayford popped the question over Easter
- The fishing show host popped the question to the PM on top of Mokotahi Hill
- Doesn't know when she'll walk down the aisle and that no plans have been made
Jacinda Ardern has revealed more details about her romantic surprise proposal and why she doesn't wear her engagement ring on the correct finger.
The New Zealand prime minister confirmed last week that long time partner Clarke Gayford popped the question over the Easter break after she was spotted wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring on her left hand.
A coy Ms Ardern was unable to dodge reporters' questions about her recent proposal during a post-cabinet press conference in Wellington on Monday, where she was reluctant to spill too many intimate details.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) was reluctant to give too much away about getting engaged at a press conference in Wellington on Monday
'There are some things I don't mind keeping for ourselves,' Ms Ardern told reporters.
'This is a very public job and I'm quite happy to put quite a bit of ourselves out there. But there are some things I wouldn't mind keeping to ourselves.'
But Ms Ardern confirmed the proposal took place with a beautiful backdrop at the top of Mokotahi Hill in Mahia on North Island's east coast.
'It was Clarke, myself, a member of the DPS (Diplomatic Protection Squad), a couple of locals from Mahia and a dog which tried to eat the chocolate that Clarke bought me at the same time, so it was very romantic.'
The beautiful engagement ring on her middle finger belonged to Clarke's grandmother
She admitted her long term partner didn't get down on one knee.
'The DPS had no idea what had happened so that should be a giveaway,' she said.
There's a reason why the ring, which belonged to Clarke's grandmother isn't on her her ring finger.
'I have not been trying to hide our news from anyone,' she said.
'It simply doesn't fit on the right finger, so that's why it's sitting in the middle.'
Jacinda and her fishing show host fiance Clarke Gayford got engaged over the Easter break
Ms Ardern says she has 'absolutely no idea' when she will walk down the aisle.
'We haven't made any plans at all,' she said.
'I was surprised by the question and as with probably many other couples we haven't made any plans at all,' she said.
Ms Ardern was reluctant to flash her ring when prompted and shut down further personal questions on her engagement with 'I think we're done? Good.'
Ardern, 38, and Gayford, 41, first met at an awards event in 2012 a but didn't begin dating until the following year.
The newly engaged couple, pictured with daughter Neve, have been together since 2013
The surprise engagement comes 10 months after the birth of daughter Neve Te Aroha in June last year.
Gayford is Neve's primary carer while his fiancee runs the country.
Ms Ardern was only the second elected female leader to have a child while in office and the first since Benazier Bhutto in 1990.
If Ms Ardern weds while in office, she will become the first major leader to do so in recent years.
Clarke Gayford pooped the question on top of Mokotahi Hill on North Island's east coast
