US ready for the John Key show

Yesterday it was China's 60th anniversary celebration at Auckland's Civic Theatre; on Thursday John Key will be on the David Letterman show in New York. Photo / Martin Sykes

Prime Minister John Key leaves today for the United States, and a week of meetings with a president, a former prime minister and top United Nations personnel in New York.

But his toughest assignment could be an appearance on one of America's most popular TV shows.

Talk-show host David Letterman - whose celebrity-studded Late Show attracts millions of viewers - will ask Mr Key to deliver a lighthearted top ten list, and perhaps make a little fun of himself in the process.

The show will screen live in the US on Thursday and on Prime TV in New Zealand on Monday at 6pm, with a repeat at 11pm.

Britney Spears read her Letterman Top 10 in a bikini when she appeared on the show, but whether ex-investment banker Mr Key will swap his suit for something more flamboyant is a secret.

Spokesman Kevin Taylor said last night Mr Key would not find out what was required of him until the day of filming.

Tourism New Zealand pushed for the guest spot to raise New Zealand's profile, and liaised with Letterman's team over the script.

Since taking the tourism portfolio after the election Mr Key has focused on attracting more visitors to New Zealand.

Though he expects a bit of a hard time in front of the camera, Mr Key said the opportunity was "gold when it comes to New Zealand from a tourism point of view".

He will trade centre screen for centre stage later in the week, when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly.

His trip will also include a meeting with US President Barack Obama.

The pair have talked by phone, but will meet face-to-face at a function the President is hosting.

While in New York, Mr Key will also meet his predecessor, Helen Clark, who now heads the UN Development Programme.

They would talk about aid, the Pacific and have "a natter about domestic politics", he said.

He will also attend a UN Security Council meeting on disarmament and non-proliferation - chaired by President Obama - an area in which Mr Key thinks New Zealand can "punch above its weight".

Other events in Mr Key's diary include ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and meetings with the head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and the leaders of Turkey, the Netherlands, Israel, Chile, Norway and Rwanda.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA