The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says not to expect any flashy announcements from her meeting with the US President Joe Biden at the White House in less than 24 hours.
John Key was the last PM to stop by eight years ago. Ardern says these kinds of face-to-face meetings are incredibly important.
Dominating Jacinda Ardern's talks will be Ukraine and trade, with the underlying context of China's influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Ardern is downplaying China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the region.
Political Editor Jane Patterson spoke to Susie Ferguson.
