Bill English says it was worthwhile to chat to Donald Trump on the phone because the US has a huge influence and it's important to maintain a good relationship.
The Prime Minister got a 15-minute call yesterday from the US President, where they discussed trade, the economy, terror and golfing great Bob Charles. There was even a casual invitation to the White House.
English told Mike Hosking it wasn't a negotiation about anything in particular, but was "an opportunity to set some common ground".
"It was just re-setting the relationship - he's the new President, I'm the new Prime Minister - we haven't met, we haven't discussed anything before, so it good to be able to do that," he said.
English said Donald Trump seemed open to a range of discussions that concern both countries and was quite personable about it.
SEE ALSO: 'Remarkable' NZ one of only 15 countries Trump has called
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the way Waitangi Day went yesterday is a blueprint for moving forward.
English marked the day in Auckland after being denied speaking rights at Te Tii Marae at Waitangi. He said he met hundreds of people, who were all positive.
He said they want to celebrate New Zealand's achievements and what's great about our country.
"In the past as we all know it's been distracted a lot by the goings-on of one marae in one place in New Zealand," English said.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOUT HIS CALL WITH DONALD TRUMP AND WAITANGI DAY
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