Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has labelled her White House meeting with President Joe Biden a success, though there is no sign of a trade deal for New Zealand.
The leaders discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, security in the Pacific region, trade, and even bonded over their family connections to World War II.
There was no shortage of pleasantries as Ardern sat down with Biden at the Oval Office in Washington DC - the first time a New Zealand Prime Minister had done so since Sir John Key met Barack Obama in 2014.
"It's good to see a not so old but a good friend," Biden told Ardern. "Your leadership has taken on a critical role on this global stage."
The pair found common ground in World War II.
"Two of my mother's brothers were in the Pacific. They used to be deployed at the same time in those days," Biden said.
Ardern responded: "You speak of your uncle's service in the Pacific. My grandfather served in the Pacific. I think that speaks to the personal connection but also the depth of our friendship and relationship."
The Prime Minister spoke to the media after the meeting outside the White House.
"I see that meeting with President Biden as a reflection of the relationship between New Zealand and the United States: warm, friendly, shared values, and shared challenges," Ardern said.
Those shared values include China's growing influence in the Pacific.
"Given that we are in an environment where our region is increasingly contested, where we have seen challenges in our region, then you would expect that would fall under a topic of conversation," Ardern said.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine was also discussed, with Biden recognising "New Zealand's significant support for Ukraine".
Ardern added: "I also want to acknowledge your significant leadership in Ukraine."
She also acknowledged the recent shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York.
"Can I bring the sincere condolences on behalf of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand for what you have experienced," Ardern said.
A joint statement from the two leaders outlines committments to security in the Pacific, climate change action, and the post-terror attack Christchurch Call.
It's been a long road to the White House for Ardern. She delivered a speech to Harvard University students, met with California Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as top tech executives from Twitter and Microsoft.
Back at home in New Zealand, former diplomat Stephen Jacobi said he was hopeful for a free trade development.
"We also need movement on trade with the United States," he told AM.
New Zealand has signed up to the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) but it lacks trade commitments.
Ardern has urged the US to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP).
The agreement gave New Zealand better market access to the signatories, including Japan, Canada, Mexico and Peru which New Zealand didn't have existing free trade agreements with.
"New Zealand is happy to join IPEF, but we do want it to be meaningful. We believe it can assist with the removal of non-tariff barriers and seed greater economic cooperation and integration," Ardern said.
"The CPTPP is the best way the United States can support the economic resilience of our region, so on that basis I encouraged the President to look at the CPTTP as more than a trade agreement."
Ardern told reporters: "Our meeting was very much focussed on, not on announceables, but on actually furthering and deepening the relationship and we're absolutely done that."
There's no free trade deal for now, but the meeting was a chance for New Zealand to shine on the world stage.
