New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's wedding becomes a victim of the Omicron surge

• New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced her wedding has been postponed due to COVID-19.
• The country is going into the highest level of COVID-19 restrictions amid the Omicron outbreak.

New Zealand's prime minister has canceled her wedding as a result of the Omicron surge, according to reports.

Speaking to reporters, Jacinda Ardern confirmed that her wedding to long-term partner Clarke Gayford will not go ahead as New Zealand is placed into the highest level of COVID-19 restrictions.

When the 41-year-old was asked how she feels about canceling her wedding, she said "such is life."

"I am no different to, dare I say it, thousands of other New Zealanders who have had much more devastating impacts felt by the pandemic, the most gutting of which is the inability to be with a loved one sometimes when they are gravely ill. That will far, far outstrip any sadness I experience." She added.

According to the New Zealand health ministry, the country has recorded 71 new cases in the past 24 hours, and 15,550 since the start of the pandemic.

The entire country is set to be placed under the highest level of COVID-19 restrictions after an outbreak of the Omicron variant.

The restrictions limit of 100 vaccinated people at events — but only 25 people allowed if the event does not use vaccine passes — and mask-wearing in shops and on public transport.

In New Zealand, 93% of the eligible population are fully vaccinated, and 56% of those eligible have had booster shots, according to the health ministry.