Barack Obama shares parenting with Jacinda Ardern on NZ visit
Barack Obama, who lands in Australia today, offers his advice to Jacinda Ardern about juggling politics and parenthood.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received parenting tips from Barack Obama when she met the former US president in Auckland.
Ms Ardern, who is expecting her first child in June, held discussions with Mr Obama after he received a traditional Maori welcome at Government House.
She said she asked him “how do you deal with guilt” as a parent in politics. “Because I have no doubt I’m going to experience some of that in the future as I juggle the roles that I have,” she said.
The Prime Minister said President Obama reassured her with some simple advice. “His insights were the same as I’m sure any parent would probably give me: that you do your best.”
Mr Obama and his wife Michelle have two children, Malia and Sasha.
Ms Ardern said they also discussed the state of progressive climate change and engaging young people in politics.
Mr Obama is touring the region on a week-long tour of NZ, Australia, Singapore and Japan. His three-day trip to New Zealand centred on a corporate speaking function organised by the NZ-US Council.
Mr Obama’s corporate-sponsored speech, for which is reportedly being paid $NZ400,000 (US$290,000), was held behind closed doors and he has largely avoided the media during his trip.
Today the former US president arrives in Sydney on the Australian leg of the trip.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is due to “catch up and have a chat” with the former president.
After arriving in New Zealand on Tuesday night, Mr Obama was whisked away for a game of golf with Mr Key. The two former politicians, who have teed off together several times before, headed to Kauri Cliffs, a par 72 championship golf course ranked 39th in the world by Golf Digest.
Mr Key said hosting the former US president would lead to tourism benefits. “He’s still one of the most influential people on the planet,” Mr Key told NZ radio.
“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.”
With AFP, AAP
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