What former US President Barack Obama told the Wahine Toa meeting before he left NZ
The first footage of Barack Obama's private meeting with Wahine Toa has emerged, revealing the former president's advice to the Maori leaders.
The fact that many Maori women were making contributions in New Zealand was a lesson that ought to be taught, he says in a video released by The Obama Foundation.
The video captures Obama's meeting with several members of Wahine Toa, which represents Maori leaders across various industries.
Gina Rangi of Wahine Toa said in the video she had just come back from a lunch with the former president as well as a group of other Maori women.
The main learning for her was the importance of sharing experiences and supporting each other, Rangi said.
Obama brought "the real him to the conversation, he brought his visions, his dreams, and, more importantly, how we can work together in the future", Deirdre Otene said.
"A big mission for the foundation is to lift up women's voices," Obama said.
"The fact we are seeing so many Maori women who are already making contributions and pulling up those behind them, I think is a lesson to teach."
Women who met with Barack Obama (from left) Deirdre Otene, Liana Poutu, former US Ambassador's wife Nancy Gilbert, and Lynell Huria. Photo / Claire Trevett
The experience was "surreal and incredible", Liana Poutu said.
"We can learn to partner with the global community on local initiatives and international initiatives, particularly when it comes to youth empowerment and woman as well," Tuvae Barlow said.
Rangi told the Rotorua Daily Post the meal was relaxed and conversational, and she felt privileged to be there.
"We talked about leadership and what that means, about community and what that means. He asked questions, we asked questions, everyone had really good conversations," she said.
"It's not about the celebrity of his role, it's about the work he's trying to achieve and we're doing a similar thing at a community level."
Otene said it would good to share a hongi and a hug with Obama after reading his books and hearing him speak at events in Hawaii.
"He shook my hand, gave him a hongi, and then when we left he gave us a hug," she told the Northern Advocate.
"I've come from this place where I used to follow Obama and Michelle on YouTube and read their books and follow their leadership styles, to having a conversation with him," she said.
She said she spoke about the Moko Foundation, the mahi she did in South Auckland building health and social services in a marae context, and about youth development in an indigenous setting.
"I spoke to him about Northland being a place that can create amazing outcomes that can be recognised globally and that's my ambition, that's my focus is to do that."
Otene said Obama commented that Northland was one of the most beautiful places on earth.
"Aside from the fact he's a celebrity and brings with him a lot of attraction, he's a genuine man and he has a genuine cause to want to create positive outcomes for people and for indigenous people," she said.
Otene hoped the meeting showed young people from small towns they have the opportunity to meet some of the most important people in the world.
