Ardern relishes time spent with Obama
AUCKLAND: Former United States president Barack Obama will leave New Zealand this afternoon after one last glimpse of its scenery — he is tipped to be going to Waiheke Island for lunch.
However, outside the closed doors of his speaking event last night there were boos from disappointed fans who turned up for one of the few chances to see him in the flesh.
His car went straight past them, its tinted windows preventing them even seeing even a silhouette or a wave.
Inside the Viaduct Events Centre the rich and famous, from Willie Apiata to Trelise Cooper, rolled up to hear him speak but no media reporting was allowed.
Earlier, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern finally got her time with Mr Obama who slightly made up for all the time he spent with former prime minister Sir John Key by going into overtime in his meeting with her.
Ms Ardern later said he had given her parenting tips and she raised her fear she would feel guilty as she dealt with her leadership role and her baby.
‘‘The question I asked was ‘how do you deal with guilt?’ Because I have no doubt I’m going to experience some of that in the future as I juggle the roles I have.’’
She said he had advised ‘‘you do your best’’.
Ms Ardern said Mr Obama was ‘‘incredibly warm and laidback and approachable and very quick to make you feel at ease’’.
‘‘We moved into a conversation pretty quickly. I’m a political nerd so I wanted to make the most of it.’’
She said Mr Obama had made particular mention of the powhiri at Government House where he was welcomed by Ngati Whatua o Orakei and experienced his first hongi.
Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, were given carved whale teeth pendants, which Ngati Whatua o Orakei spokesman Ngarimu Blair explained were a treasure reserved for great orators.
Ms Ardern said Mr Obama made particular mention of those gifts and the powhiri.
The Prime Minister was not concerned about Mr Obama’s time with Sir John.
‘‘There’s no doubt that over the period you’re in leadership that you form relationships with leaders that are serving at the time you’re in that role.’’
Mr Obama had spoken to National leader Simon Bridges by phone earlier in the day after Sir John put through a call on his cellphone — and Mr Bridges revealed Mr Obama had joked Sir John was ‘‘a terrible cheat’’ at golf following Sir John’s win over Mr Obama the previous day.
Last night, Sir John would not say if Mr Obama had a chance to even the score.
Ms Ardern did not attend last night’s speaking event, saying she was lucky to have the oneonone time she got.
‘‘It would be hard to replace that.’’
Asked if Mr Obama had spoken specifically about US President Donald Trump, she said they had not focused on ‘‘domestic’’ politics.
‘‘We didn’t get into particular international events or crises. It was a much more general conversation about the future of politics.’’
Mr Obama will meet about 20 Maori women leaders from the Wahine Toa network this morning and is then expected to go to Waiheke Island for lunch before he flies to Australia this afternoon.