Jacinda Ardern ends engagement speculation

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has quashed speculation that she is engaged.

Speculation arose about whether her partner Clarke Gayford had popped the question because of a ring she was wearing during her Facebook Live video last night.

"I thought I would upfront address the speculation in the gallery this afternoon over my Facebook Live and the issue of where my ring was placed during that Facebook live," Ardern told media at her post-cabinet press conference this afternoon.

"I'm happy to confirm that I have eczema on my left hand, which causes me to rotate where I wear my beautiful onyx ring. So no I am not engaged.

"I do however suffer from a small skin condition, which is not very romantic. Glad to have cleared that up."