Opinion: Meeting Obama a huge opportunity

Former President Barack Obama is a cool character. Photo/AP

I must say, I do envy two Rotorua women who have been invited to brunch with former President Barack Obama.

Gina Rangi and Ana Morrison of Wahine Toa, a Maori women's network group, are going to the event which is hosted by Nancy Gilbert, the wife of former US Ambassador Mark Gilbert.

Wahine Toa was started by the hostess. What a fantastic connection.

Right now is the most I've ever been engaged in global politics, particularly US politics.

Never mind that Obama's not a sitting president - he might as well be.

He's still enjoying a wave of popularity - possibly fuelled by the partisan disdain for his successor, Donald Trump.

Regardless of how you feel about his party's policies, or that he never managed to close Guantanamo Bay detention camp, that he didn't get US troops out of Iraq or the 2012 Benghazi attack when two US officials were killed, you have to admit, he's a cool character.

Calm, measured, deliberate with his words and actions. Presidential.

He didn't announce policies, or fire people in his cabinet over social media.

His press secretary didn't have to face the media each day, skating around the truth, explaining away his outbursts and accusations.

A far cry from the orange buffoon bumbling about in the White House.

So to meet Obama will be a wonderful thing indeed.

Rangi, who works as the kaiwhakahaere (Maori group manager) at Rotorua Lakes Council, says she is looking forward to talking with Obama.

"Obama came up from community activism ... and he learned how to motivate people for social justice. The opportunity to talk to someone who had an immense leadership role but was also in his local community is very exciting. To have a leader and thinker like him in the room is an incredible opportunity."

I agree and I urge these two Wahina Toa to grab this opportunity with both hands.