KEY POINTS:
Political parties here welcomed Barack Obama's inauguration today but Labour and the Greens also used his speech to criticise the new National Government over climate policy.
Obama was sworn in as the 44th US president about 6am (NZT) in Washington.
Prime Minister John Key has written to President Obama congratulating him. Labour leader Phil Goff has also offered his congratulations.
Mr Goff said President Obama's speech had a refreshing emphasis on promotion of sustainable and renewable energy and to protecting the environment by tackling climate change.
"We can only hope this message is not lost on New Zealand's new government whose early actions have taken us in the opposite direction," Mr Goff said.
Green co-leader Russel Norman shared that view.
"President Obama confirmed that he wants to fight climate change while National suspends the Emissions Trading Scheme and its coalition partner, ACT, denies the science."
The National Government has put the ETS on hold while it conducts a complete review.
Climate Change Minister Nick Smith said it "was a bit rich" for Mr Goff to criticise the new government's record on climate change when emissions had increased significantly under Labour.
"The new government is committed to climate change, welcomes the new commitment from President Obama and will be engaging in the international negotiations to find a successor agreement to Kyoto.
"We are also committed to a domestic programme which I am confident will be far more successful than the last nine years in combating climate change and constraining emissions."
In his letter, Mr Key said President Obama could count on New Zealand to be a good friend and partner.
He said President Obama's leadership would be "crucial" in addressing the challenges the world faced.
They included the global economic crisis, terrorism, climate change and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
He also highlighted New Zealand's friendship with the United States and his desire to push on with planned negotiations that would see the US enter a multi-lateral free trade agreement that currently includes New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and Brunei.
"Our common democratic values and traditions, and long history of co-operating closely to promote international security and prosperity, point to our shared interests across a wide range of issues.
Mr Goff, who this morning joined about 100 others at a party at the United States Embassy in Wellington celebrating the inauguration, said President Obama had generated hope of new approaches and fresh ideas.
"For New Zealand and the international community there was much in the President's speech which will give confidence about the direction of the new administration and the leadership it may give to the world," he said.
Mr Goff said the President would take steps to ward off a worsening recession and would be strong in opposition to terrorism but not at the expense of human rights.
Dr Norman praised President Obama and his administration's action plan for the environment, and his commitment to global cooperation to achieve sustainability and end poverty.
"After the dark years of the Bush administration, the United States and other big nations are starting to lead the way - all National has to do is follow," Dr Norman said.
- NZPA
