Phil Goff would much rather have Barack Obama here than current US President Donald Trump.

The Auckland Mayor is hopeful that former US President Obama will visit the country's biggest city during his visit next month.

Obama is set to touch down in our country as part of New Zealand-United States Council event.

Goff says he is glad that it is Obama coming to visit and not his successor, Donald Trump.

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He says the former US President is sincere, rational and eloquent, and worked hard to make a difference during his time in office.

"Personally, I'd much rather see former President Obama visit and speak in New Zealand than probably the President. His policies, I find quite difficult to accept and understand."

However, Goff potentially won't have much choice in the matter.

Auckland will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference for the second time in 2021.

If both Goff and Trump win a second term, in 2019 and 2020 respectively, then the mayor will likely end up meeting his less preferred President.

Goff says the visit will drum up a lot of public engagement and would be an honour for Auckland.

"I'm a person who was an admirer of President Obama. I think he spoke sincerely with elegance, and I think New Zealand as a whole will welcome his presence."

Goff hopes Obama will talk about how to develop a better, more stable, and more peaceful world.