The former US President likened his Hawaiian roots to Maori and told Wahine Toa that he ‘felt right at home’ in NZ.
A hug and a hongi with Barack Obama.
That's what Deidre Otene shared with the former US president when she finally met him after reading his books and hearing him speak at events in Hawaii.
The Northland woman was one of 20 leaders from the Wahine Toa Network who hadbreakfast with Obama at the Sofitel Hotel in Auckland yesterday.
"He shook my hand, gave him a hongi, and then when we left he gave us a hug.
"I've come from this place where I used to follow Obama and Michelle on YouTube and read their books and follow their leadership styles, to having a conversation with him," she said.
Obama spent three days in the country arriving on Wednesday and departing yesterday. A majority of his visit was spent in Northland where he played golf at Kauri Cliffs and Tara Iti.
Northland's Deidre Otene met former US president Barack Obama at a breakfast in Auckland. Photo/File
Ms Otene, who lives in Haruru but grew up in Mangamuka, received the invitation to meet Obama four weeks ago and on Sunday she was also asked to speak at the meeting.
"I was nervous because I've been to previous events in America where he was speaking when he was president and the entourage that comes with it is quite daunting."
Ms Otene recently resigned from her chief executive role at the Moko Foundation and after her last day next Thursday she moves on to a new role at Te Kotahitanga e Mahi Kaha Trust based in Kaikohe.
She said she spoke about the Moko Foundation, the mahi she did in South Auckland building health and social services in a marae context, and about youth development in an indigenous setting.
"I spoke to him about Northland being a place that can create amazing outcomes that can be recognised globally and that's my ambition, that's my focus is to do that."
Ms Otene said Obama commented that Northland was one of the most beautiful places on earth.
"Aside from the fact he's a celebrity and brings with him a lot of attraction, he's a genuine man and he has a genuine cause to want to create positive outcomes for people and for indigenous people," she said.
Ms Otene hoped the meeting showed young people from small towns they have the opportunity to meet some of the most important people in the world.
