Ardern senses Biden’s ‘real connection to NZ’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken with American President-elect Joe Biden in a ‘‘very positive and warm’’ phone call in which Ardern offered Biden access to New Zealand’s Covid-19 team.
Biden, in turn, said he wanted to strengthen US-NZ relations, work closely on issues including climate change, commended Ardern on her leadership after the March 15 terror attack and for being a working mother.
Ardern said afterward that he had said the Covid-19 pandemic was his ‘‘number one priority’’ and he expressed an eagerness to speak again on the subject.
‘‘The president-elect said he would like to reinvigorate the relationship, noting the breadth of areas where there is agreement, while recalling the long-standing nature of the relationship between our countries as well.’’
The phone call came earlier than during the prior presidential transition, when Donald Trump called after he was in the White House in February 2017 – Ardern said the earlier call was ‘‘a positive’’.
Ardern said she invited Biden to visit New Zealand, as Australia has already invited the presidentelect to visit for the 70th anniversary of the Anzus security treaty between the countries.
Biden previously visited New Zealand in 2016. Ardern said he felt a connection to the region through his own time here and his uncle’s military service in the Pacific. Ardern’s grandfather also served around the same time.
‘‘It seemed only natural, of course, that we extend equally that invitation to New Zealand as well,’’ Ardern said.
‘‘You could tell from the conversation he sensed a real connection to New Zealand, felt very welcomed here, and was very pleased to receive the invitation to come back here.’’
But Ardern was less candid about whether she had been invited to the White House.
‘‘Whether or not, or when, a visit like that might take place, is entirely a matter for the White House.’’
Ardern said the fraught presidential transition was not discussed.