Barack Obama attended a powhiri with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Government House in Auckland, yesterday. Ms Ardern said Mr Obama was"incredibly warm and laid-back and approachable and very quick to make you feel at ease". Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, were given carved whale teeth pendants, which Ngati Whatua o Orakei spokesman Ngarimu Blair explained were a treasure reserved for great orators. Ms Ardern said Mr Obama made particular mention of those gifts and the powhiri. Mr Obama had spoken to National leader Simon Bridges by phone earlier in the day after Sir John put through a call on his cellphone - and Mr Bridges revealed Mr Obama had joked Sir John was "a terrible cheat" at golf following Sir John's win over Mr Obama the previous day.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 22, 2018 15:56 UTC