Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says her meeting today with former US Secretary of State and unsuccessful US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will not impact New Zealand-US relations.
"It wasn't a formal meeting. There was, therefore, no media. It was a private meeting and in my view doesn't change the importance of our relationship with the US," Ms Ardern told media today.
"Our relationship with the US stands on its own, regardless of who is the President at the time. It is a strong and important relationship that transcends who happens to be in government at the time."
The former US Sectary of State gave the PM a buzzy bee and Ms Ardern gave Ms Clinton two NZ children’s books from her grandchildren. (Source: Other)
She said Ministry of Foreign Affairs were aware of the meeting, and that President Donald Trump "was not the focus of our conversation".
"When it comes to the visits by those who are not guests of government, I make sure they're treated appropriately in the same way when Barack Obama visited New Zealand."
Ms Ardern was asked if she would have had a private meeting with Ms Clinton if she were not prime minister of New Zealand, "I doubt I would have been asked, but if she'd offered I certainly would have taken it".
Ms Ardern said she would meet President Donald Trump if he requested a meeting.
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