Obama visit in March confirmed
Former US President Barack Obama will visit New Zealand in March, it has been confirmed.
He will speak at an event hosted by the New ZealandUnited States Council on March 22.
It is understood Obama’s visit is being co-sponsored by Air NZ, Westpac and MasterCard.
Obama is expected to be in New Zealand from March 21 to 23 — and has slotted in a game of golf with his old golfing rival Sir John Key while he is in town. Obama will also meet with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
New Zealand-United States Council chairman Leon Grice said: “President Obama’s presi- dency had an extraordinary impact on the world and during his service, New Zealand’s deep friendship with the United States was strengthened politically, culturally, in trade and investment, innovation and security.” Key and Obama played golf together in Hawaii in 2014 and it is understood a rematch is on the agenda for Obama’s New Zealand visit — likely in Key’s favourite spot of Queenstown.
Following his brief Auckland visit the former US president will be heading to Sydney for another event hosted by the council. Grice said it was not expected that Obama would be bringing his wife, Michelle, or two daughters with him.
Obama will be speaking in Auckland to an invitation-only event of about 1000 people, Grice said. It was a private visit and Obama would be doing a number of things including connecting with young New Zealanders. Grice said the visit is not commercial and the guests to the speech would not be paying guests.
Asked if there was some diplomatic risk with the US relationship, given the antipathy of President Donald Trump to Obama, Grice thought it was a small risk.
— Audrey Young