Updated: 6:40am – Former United States president Barack Obama has arrived for his first visit to New Zealand.
His Gulfstream jet landed at Auckland Airport just after midnight.
Media were kept away as those who quickly disembarked were whisked off in a large motorcade attended by police vehicles.
The 44th US president is visiting in a private capacity until Friday and few details of his trip are known.
RNZ understands Mr Obama will enjoy a private dinner at a luxury Northland lodge with former US ambassador to New Zealand Mark Gilbert and his wife Nancy, and about a dozen other guests.
Tomorrow, he will be welcomed with a pōwhiri in Auckland, will talk privately with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and will speak at a New Zealand US Council event in the evening.
-RNZ
Featured image: Barack Obama’s Gulfstream plane landed about midnight. Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley
