Donald Trump has called Prime Minister John Key and offered his sympathies over the Kaikoura earthquake.
A spokeswoman for Key said his conversation with the United States President-elect was "very warm and cordial".
"Mr Trump offered his sympathies for the earthquake, and the Prime Minister congratulated him on his election.
"They discussed the New Zealand economy, trade and agreed that the relationship between New Zealand and the United States was in great shape."
Key's office had been told on Saturday that Trump would call in the next couple of days, but the Prime Minister missed the call amidst earthquake recovery on Monday.
Key has conceded that Trump's opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) meant it was unlikely to be ratified.
The enabling legislation for the TPP passed its final reading at Parliament last night, but will only take effect upon ratification.
Yesterday, Key told the NZ Herald he would raise the TPP in today's phone call with Trump and make a pitch that it was in the US's interests to get on board.
Key had not heard from US President Barack Obama yet, but will see him in person this weekend at the Apec leaders' summit in Lima Peru.
Trump's phone call comes as the destroyer USS Sampson heads to Kaikoura to help with relief effort. Its two helicopters will be used to evacuate people stranded in the town.
The Sampson is in New Zealand for the Royal Navy's 75th anniversary, but will bypass celebrations in Auckland in order to help earthquake recover efforts.
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