G20 Summit: Roll out the cuddly animals

Prime Minister John Key cuddles a koala.

Fur might be a bit outré in fashion but it is becoming the latest accessory in diplomatic circles as countries try to resolve the world's problems one fluffy animal at a time.

Peng Liyuan, wife of China's President Xi Jinping holds a koala at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Photo / AP

The G20 was no exception. The koalas were rolled out for the leaders, including John Key. They also helped as an ice breaker between Tony Abbott and Russia President Vladimir Putin.

And the leaders' spouses also had a turn - just days after snuggling a panda bear in China, Bronagh Key was with the other partners of the G20 leaders at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The spouses were there to meet some of Australia's wild life, including kangaroos, koalas and a slightly less cuddly snake.

Bronagh fed the kangaroos alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife who will be spending more time with Mrs Key when she accompanies President Xi to New Zealand for a state visit next week.

Her husband, Mr Key, later quipped Bronagh's apparent newfound fondness for bears could be bad news for the family cat. "Moonbeam's been bumped!"

Australian media had reported that the crack squad of koalas at the Sanctuary had to have special endurance training in the lead up to the summit. Like panda bears, they sleep for 20 hours a day - but had to boost their cuddle stamina from a few minutes to 30 minutes a day for the summit.

New Zealand is not immune from offering patting diplomacy either. On Friday German Chancellor Angela Merkel was given a kiwi to pat before she took on the job of releasing it into its hides hole on Motutapu Island. It worked a treat - an hour later she announced her support for a New Zealand - European Union free trade agreement.