Jacinda Ardern invites Joe Biden to New Zealand, offers COVID expertise during ‘very warm and positive’ phone call

The US President-elect, in a “warm” phone call, has commended Ardern on dealing with Covid. She invited Biden to NZ.

After their conversation Mr Biden’s transition team released a statement saying the president-elect had praised Ms Ardern’s leadership in dealing with the pandemic and the Christchurch massacre, as well as being a working mother and role model. Picture: Supplied

Joe Biden has praised Jacinda Ardern’s “extraordinary leadership” in a phone call between the two leaders as the New Zealand Prime Minister invited him to visit her country.

Ms Ardern said on Monday she had called the US president-elect to congratulate him on his win and they had enjoyed a “pleasant and warm” conversation.

In an Instagram post, Ms Ardern said the pair discussed climate change, COVID-19, and trade in the region.

Joe Biden and ardern congratulatory phone call

She said Mr Biden “remembers fondly” his visit to New Zealand in 2016 and she looked forward to speaking to him again.

Jacinda Ardern spoke with Joe Biden on the phone. Picture: Supplied.

After their conversation Mr Biden’s transition team released a statement saying the president-elect had praised Ms Ardern’s leadership in dealing with the pandemic and the Christchurch massacre, as well as being a working mother and role model.

It said he had expressed his intention to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

There's been a phone call between @JoeBiden and @jacindaardern. pic.twitter.com/HH5joE3q6p

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 23, 2020

“He noted that he looks forward to working with her on common challenges, including containing COVID-19, tackling climate change … and maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said.

The statement did not refer to her invitation, but Ms Ardern told reporters he was “very pleased” to be invited to NZ. Scott Morrison has already invited Mr Biden to Australia for the 70th anniversary of ANZUS.

“He spoke of his fond memories of visiting New Zealand years ago. He was very pleased to be invited to come back here,” she said.

Ms Ardern said she had offered the president-elect advice in managing COVID-19 from New Zealand’s own experience, and said that the virus was his “number one priority”.

“We discussed COVID-19 and the President-elect spoke positively about New Zealand’s response to the pandemic,” Ms Ardern said.

“I offered to him and his team access to New Zealand health officials in order to share their experience on things we’ve learnt on our COVID-19 journey.”

She said Mr Biden had told her he felt a connection to the region through his own time in New Zealand, and his uncle’s military service in the pacific.

“I detected a huge amount of enthusiasm for the relationship we already have, but the potential for that relationship too,” she said.

Asked about Mr Biden’s praise for her leadership, she said it demonstrated that the president-elect knew what was going on in New Zealand.