Spouse of the Prime Minister of New Zealand Michael Joseph Savage, was a bachelor during his term, but otherwise, until the tenure of the 36th Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, the post had always been filled by a woman; Burton Shipley was Jenny Shipley's husband. The current Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, is unmarried; her partner is radio personality Clarke Gayford. The current acting spouse of the Prime Minister of New Zealand is Clarke Gayford, who assumed the role when his partner became the Prime Minister of New Zealand on 26 October 2017. There are currently eight living spouses of former prime ministers of New Zealand: The
Prime Minister of Australia the governing party or senior coalition party elects an alternative party leader. This has resulted in the party leaders from the Country Party (now named National Party) being appointed as Prime Minister, despite being the smaller party of their coalition. This occurred when Earle Page became caretaker Prime Minister following the death of Joseph Lyons in 1939, and when John McEwen became caretaker Prime Minister following the disappearance of Harold Holt in 1967. However in 1941, Arthur Fadden became the leader of the Coalition and subsequently Prime Minister by the agreement of both coalition parties, despite being the leader of