New Zealand

Barack Obama lands in New Zealand

06:17 am on 21 March 2018

Former United States president Barack Obama has arrived for his first visit to New Zealand.

Barack Obama's Gulfstream plane landed about midnight. Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley

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.

The motorcade for former US president Barack Obama quickly took him away, attended by police,after his flight landed in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley