Former US President Barack Obama is in the far north to play golf on the first of his three-day trip to New Zealand.
Former US President Barack Obama will have a chance to redeem himself on a New Zealand golf course this morning after being narrowly beaten in a playoff by former Prime Minister John Key in Northland yesterday.
After spending yesterday at Kauri Cliffs golf course, Obama will have another morning ofgolf at the Tara Iti course in Northland today before returning to Auckland mid-afternoon.
Key reported Obama had been "relaxed" and the golf "came down to the wire".
He said the teams were "all square" after 18 holes – "Team NZ won on the second playoff hole".
Barack Obama tees off at the Kauri Cliffs golf course. Photo / Air NZ
Team NZ was the pairing of Key and billionaire Craig Heatley, who had also flown the Key family north earlier in the morning.
Key said it was a "great match" and Obama was "keen to return".
"[Obama] was relaxed, loved the course and his first glimpse of New Zealand."
After his first golf game with Obama in Maui in 2016, Key was not allowed to report who had won – but the rules have clearly changed now neither are leaders.
Last night, Obama swapped birdies for real birds, and former US ambassador Mark Gilbert posted an image of the president coming face-to-face with a real kwi.
Obama will have a chance to even the score on the golf course this morning when he and Key play at another course in Northland - possibly the Tara Iti course at Te Arai - before returning to Auckland.
There Obama will be welcomed with a powhiri at Government House – the first opportunity for many to get a close-up look at the president.
He will then have a meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was remaining quiet about what she would discuss with him yesterday.
Sir John Key, Barack Obama and Key's son Max at Kauri Cliffs golf course. Photo / Instagram / Max Key
The powhiri will be led by Ngati Whatua Orakei and spokesman Ngarimu Blair said although many dignitaries had been welcomed to New Zealand, it was an privilege to do the powhiri for Obama.
"In this particular case, obviously we are excited to do this for someone who had such a huge impact in the United States and also on societies around the world. Everyone prepares their whole lives for these ceremonies so we are not nervous as such, but there is a high level of excitement."
Barack Obama meets a real Kiwi up close. Photo / Instagram / Mark Gilbert
Much of Obama's trip has been at a distance so far – he arrived soon after midnight on Wednesday morning before getting on a helicopter to fly to Kauri Cliffs later in the morning, clutching a cup of coffee and giving a cheerful wave to those watching.
Obama is staying at The Landing, a luxury lodge in the Bay of Islands, and was to have a private dinner with about 20 guests, including Air NZ chief executive Chris Luxon, last night.
Barack Obama at Mechanics Bay in Auckland yesterday morning. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Footage of Obama from up North showed him appearing to take plenty of photos of the scenery on his cellphone, as well as high-fiving Key after a good shot.
It also showed Key's game was not without problems – he ended up in a bunker on the 13th hole.
Obama's main event will be a dinner and discussion with actor Sam Neill tonight in front of 800–1000 guests at the Viaduct Events Centre. That meal has been chosen and overseen by chef Peter Gordon, who was flown from London by Air NZ for the occasion. Gordon told 1 News he was told Obama liked fish so had selected New Zealand salmon as one option and steak for the other "because he's from Chicago".
Although Obama is steering clear of politics, his speaking event turned into a political football at Parliament yesterday after Regional Development Minister Shane Jones' attacks on Air New Zealand for cuts to regional services.
Former US President Barack Obama and Sir John Key on the course at Kauri Cliffs. Photo / Twitter, Air NZ
That prompted National Party leader Simon Bridges to question why Jones was accepting corporate hospitality from Air NZ to attend the Obama speech if he was so angry with the airline.
Jones said he still intended to attend and was entitled to because the Government was a majority shareholder.
Tomorrow Obama will wind up his visit after a more intimate meeting with about 20 Maori women leaders who are part of the Wahine Toa network set up by Nancy Gilbert, the wife of former ambassador Mark Gilbert.
