President-elect Trump calls Key following quake

Immigration has been a centerpiece of Donald Trump's campaign. Photo: Reuters
Prime minister John Key said that he has received a call from US President-elect Donald Trump following the recent earthquakes. Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister John Key said several world leaders had contacted him about the earthquakes, including an attempt by US President-elect Donald Trump.

Key told Newshub it was important to try to stop earthquakes impacting on the tourism industry.

"I do slightly worry about earthquakes because the news travels around the world, this is a big one - 7.5. A lot of leaders around the world that I know contacted me so they're seeing it on their TV sets."

Speaking on Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning, Key said United States President-elect Donald Trump had been trying to call him yesterday.

"That's the message I got. I didn't see it but he's been trying to hook up.

"I suspect the combination of just wanting to make that first call and I'm sure they would have got reports of what had happened."

Trump didn't leave a number but Key said he had a number for him and expected the call would happen today or tomorrow.

Key said he would congratulate Trump.

"I know the protests and all that stuff but it was a general election and he won. Everyone might not like it but he won fair and square...

"I think we have to put our best foot forward and I'm going to work with him like I would have worked with Hillary if she'd been president."

Key said he would raise TPP with Trump.

"I will say to him 'look, if you take a step back, I think that TPP was very much about US leadership in the region'... I still strongly believe the United States still gains more than it actually gives from free trade and I'd urge him when he gets a chance to sit back and get some advice on how we might be able to progress it."

The Hungarian President was also in Wellington yesterday and Key said he had never felt an earthquake in his life.

Key said it was important to show the international community that New Zealand was well equipped to withstand earthquakes and cope with the aftermath.

"We need to make sure those people go away and say as terrible as it was, the New Zealanders were brilliant. And that was the experience out of Christchurch."

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