Barack Obama tells National leader Simon Bridges that Sir John Key 'terrible golf cheat'

National Party leader Simon Bridges on the phone to former US President Barack Obama.

National Party leader Simon Bridges has had a short conversation on the phone with former US President Barack Obama and says Obama described John Key as "a terrible golf cheat".

Bridges took the call in the Koru Lounge at Wellington Airport this morning. Obama was with former Prime Minister Sir John Key at the time.

Bridges said Obama described Key as "a terrible golf cheat" after the former president lost at Kauri Cliffs yesterday.

"Most importantly was the conversation around the golf. He's really enjoyed that but he's not so sure about Sir John's counting on the golf course," Bridges said. "He may have used the word cheat, but I won't go there."

Obama spent yesterday at Kauri Cliffs, where Key said Team NZ - the pairing of Key and billionaire Craig Heatley - won after the second play-off hole.

Asked if Obama had called Key a cheat, Bridges said: "It's more a word of a question ... The [former] President remarked about intrigue about the counting skills of Sir John Key on the course."

Bridges said he spoke to Obama through Key's phone.

"The President confirmed he's had a great time here, really enjoying it. He and John have been talking a bit about me, so it's nice to have a sense that he's heard about me.

"It was a brief conversation, very warm, about the good time he's had in New Zealand. I was able to pass on that Sir John had been doing a bit of practising up there in advance of the game, so he wasn't going into it cold."

Bridges said the money forked out for the visit was worth it.

"Those pictures of him out on a pristine course with New Zealand's beautiful scenery are quite literally priceless."

Obama will have a chance to redeem himself on a New Zealand golf course this morning.

Later today Obama will be welcomed with a powhiri at Government House – the first opportunity for many to get a close look at the President.

He will have a meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was remaining quiet about what she would discuss with him.

The phone call comes after Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless said no to an invitation to dinner with Obama. Brownless was among a selection of mayors invited to attend a 1000-guest banquet with Obama tonight.

He said he was "honoured to be invited" but had to turn down the invitation because of a prior commitment on Thursday night.

"I have a citizenship ceremony to attend for 60 people and their families and friends. If I had gone to the dinner, I would have been letting 200 to 300 people down."

"And first thing the next morning I am opening a conference that means a lot to some people locally."