21 Mar 2018

Barack Obama lands in New Zealand

6:17 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.

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.

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