Barack Obama has landed at Kauri Cliffs, near Matauri Bay in the Far North for a round of golf.
The 44th US president landed in Auckland early this morning and former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir John Key and his family flew north for a golfing rendezvous.
Obama's helicopter landed about 9.45am, escorted by a Jet Ranger, after a flight over the Bay of Islands and scenic Pererua Peninsula.
Obama is on his first visit to New Zealand and organisers are pulling out all the stops - from actor Sam Neill as one of his hosts, to flying in chef Peter Gordon from London to cook for him.
He landed in a private Gulfstream jet at Auckland International Airport at 12.13am after spending two days in Singapore and stayed at the Sofitel, the front doors of which were guarded by three police officers overnight and into this morning.
Obama is tipped to stay at The Landing luxury home in Northland tonight before returning to Auckland tomorrow for an official welcome at Government House.
There he will experience his first powhiri and hongi - it is understood officials have been asked to send detailed information about the process and meaning of the hongi for him.
Obama will also meet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern before an invite-only dinner and speaking event with about 1000 people, organised by the NZ-US Council and paid for by Air New Zealand, Mastercard and Westpac.
Air New Zealand has flown Kiwi chef Peter Gordon from London to oversee that dinner and it will also include a range of fine local wines such as Te Mata Estate and Craggy Range.
Obama will be interviewed by actor Sam Neill and the MC for the evening will be poet laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh.
There are few opportunities for the public to see Obama - the only event media can film is the powhiri and hongi at Government House.
National Party leader Simon Bridges is to attend Obama's event tomorrow night.
"I'm not saying I'm a devotee but I've never met a US president and so I'm pretty excited. I'm looking forward to hopefully getting a chance to briefly meet him."
However, the invite list did raise some eyebrows - while some backbenchers are on it, Trade Minister David Parker is not. Those who turned down invites included Ardern, who was to meet Obama earlier, and Green Party co-leader James Shaw who had another appointment in his climate-change portfolio.
NZ First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters was also going to be a no-show - he was staying in Wellington at Parliament - but MP Shane Jones is attending. Speaker Trevor Mallard was also attending as were National MPs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Alfred Ngaro.
US Ambassador Scott Brown was also likely to be at the speaking event - although he was the appointee of Obama's successor, Donald Trump.
A spokeswoman for the US Embassy said it was security policy not to comment in advance on the Ambassador's plans. "What I can say is that it would be natural for the Ambassador to be invited and attend this kind of event."
Former US Ambassador Mark Gilbert - a friend of the Obamas - has also travelled over from the US for the golf games. Gilbert and wife Nancy helped organise the Obama Foundation event with Maori women leaders - Nancy Gilbert had set up the "wahine toa" programme to meet those leaders in her time in New Zealand.
Despite the secrecy surrounding the trip and lack of public opportunities, the Government is providing some support for the visit because of Obama's status.
About $50,000 is expected to be spent from a fund to host VIP visitors for things such as transport in the Crown limos, airport facilitation and some security.
