Tomorrow, Obama will return to Auckland for a meeting with the Prime Minister and attend an invitation-only dinner.

The man who was his ambassador to New Zealand, Mark Gilbert, will be at that function.

He doubts there'll be much discussion of the current President but believes his visit here shows a closer relationship between the two countries.

Mark Gilbert told Mike Hosking Obama tends to stay away from what's going on right now with Donald Trump.

"What he's really focusing on right now is the Obama Foundation and how they can teach young inspiring leaders to be the next generation of leaders from around the world."

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE