NZ gears up for Barack Obama's flying visit

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Barack Obama arrives at Auckland International Airport.

Former United States President Barack Obama's private jet has landed in Auckland.

A road near Air Centre One at Auckland International Airport was close d late on Tuesday in preparation for his arrival, and the plane touched down from Singapore just after midnight.

Obama is rumoured to be staying at The Landing, a secluded luxury resort on Purerua Peninsula in Northland's Bay of Islands, but how - and when - he gets there isn't known.

He could have up to a dozen armed agents protecting him for his visit to New Zealand, according to security analyst Paul Buchanan.

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A spokesperson for police said they were not willing to go into specifics on security arrangements, including how many roads might be shut down during Obama's visit.

'At this time, we are not anticipating any significant disruption arising from police actions during the visit.'

Former US president Barack Obama will be in New Zealand for a short stay this week.

Barney Irvine, spokesman for Transport and Infrastructure issues for the AA, said the effects of such visits tended to be localised to places a foreign dignitary might be staying at or speaking at.

'On a city-wide scale I wouldn't expect any impact.'

Former US president Barack Obama arrives in New Zealand tomorrow and will hold a private meeting with the prime minister but won't be holding any media engagements.

Obama's tipped to join former New Zealand prime minister John Key and son Max for an exclusive round of golf.

Barack Obama and John Key on the second green as they golf at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii in 2014.

The venue for their golf game has been a closely guarded secret, but there is speculation about two exclusive clubs, Kauri Cliffs and Tara Iti in Northland.

The only public engagement will be a Powhiri at Government house, ahead of an invitation only dinner on Thursday.

Auckland's waterfront will go into lockdown on Thursday night as Obama pops in for the banquet alongside some of New Zealand's highest-profile civic and business leaders.

Security will be tight - comprising at least six layers, including police and Obama's personal protection squad.

On Tuesday morning, trucks were moving containers out of the centre, which has just finished hosting the Volvo Ocean Race.

A staff member said preparations for the dinner would begin in earnest on Wednesday.

They revealed security measures began at least a week ago, with an advance guard scoping out the venue to identify what steps would be needed to lock it down.

Kiwi actor Sam Neill said on Twitter on Tuesday he was 'honoured to be In Conversation with President Barack Obama for an hour on stage this week in Auckland', adding that he was a 'tad overexcited'.

Obama is due to be in New Zealand until Friday, when he's scheduled to fly out to Sydney.