07:30am – Barack Obama’s arrival good for New Zealand – Sir John Key
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key says Barack Obama’s arrival in New Zealand will be good for the country.
Appearing on The AM Show on Wednesday, Sir John says hosting the former US President will lead to tourism benefits.
“He’s still one of the most influential people on the planet,” he told host Duncan Garner.
“From a New Zealand-US perspective [this is] really important, and from a tourism perspective the reality is there’s 100 million people [who] follow him.
“So if there’s a picture of him on a great New Zealand golf course it’s gotta be good.”
06:00am – Barack Obama arrives in NZ
Former US president Barack Obama touched down in New Zealand for the first time last night.
He’s heading up north later today to play golf with former New Zealand prime minister Sir John Key, before speaking at an event in Auckland on Thursday.
There will be no interviews and media cannot report from inside his event.
Newshub has learned the secrecy extends to those invited to his event, who are set to be prohibited from posting to their own social media.
And it won’t come cheap. Mr Obama’s speaking fee is said to be US$400,000 (NZ$550,000).
Newshub.
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