Highlights
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Barack Obama Wins Historic Election Victory
Democrat will be first African-American U.S. president
Washington — On November 4, Americans elected Illinois Senator Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States.
Obama said that through their votes, Americans sent a message “that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are and always will be the United States of America.”
As of early November 5, Obama had won at least 26 states and the District of Columbia with a total of 338 electoral votes, putting him well above the 270 needed to clinch the presidency. Results still were being reported from some states in the early hours of the day after Election Day … (more)
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Barack Obama’s Victory SpeechPresident-elect addresses supporters in Illinois(Transcript begins)
Hello, Chicago. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America. … (full transcript and video) |
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Senator McCain's Concession SpeechRemarks from Senator John McCain (Transcript begins) Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening. My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love. In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving. This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight… (full transcript and video) |
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President Bush Discusses Election Result(Transcript begins) THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Last night, I had a warm conversation with President-elect Barack Obama. I congratulated him and Senator Biden on their impressive victory. I told the President-elect he can count on complete cooperation from my administration as he makes the transition to the White House. I also spoke to Senator John McCain. I congratulated him on a determined campaign that he and Governor Palin ran. The American people will always be grateful for the lifetime of service John McCain has devoted to this nation. And I know he'll continue to make tremendous contributions to our country. No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday. Across the country, citizens voted in large numbers. They showed a watching world the vitality of America's democracy, and the strides we have made toward a more perfect union. They chose a President whose journey represents a triumph of the American story -- a testament to hard work, optimism, and faith in the enduring promise of our nation … (more) |
 | | DCM David Keegan at the Embassy event in Wellington as the news breaks of President-elect Obama's victory. |
New Zealanders and Americans Gather to Watch Historic ElectionHundreds of New Zealanders and Americans gathered together at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre to attend the U.S. Embassy’s election night event. Welcoming his guests Ambassador McCormick noted the coincidental timing of the U.S and N.Z. elections and celebrated our shared right to cast a vote. “In both countries it’s a tremendous time to be a citizen. To feel privileged to be part of the democratic process, and blessed that we live in countries with transparent, democratically elected governments,” he said. The Ambassador said he was delighted to be part of such a moment in history. “This was always going to be a historic election - either our first African-American President or our first female Vice-President,” said the Ambassador. The crowd in attendance gathered in rapt silence as Senators McCain and Obama gave their concession and victory speeches respectively. There was loud applause for both Senator McCain’s graceful concession and President-elect Obama’s stirring victory speech. |
 | | President Bush (left), French President Sarkozy (center), European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (right). |
Bush Calls Economic Summit for November 15Washington — The leaders of 20 nations have been invited to attend an economic summit in Washington to discuss the current financial crisis, its causes and efforts to resolve it through more effective regulation and reform, the White House says. “In addition, we expect that the leaders will discuss the effects of the crisis on emerging economies and developing nations,” White House press secretary Dana Perino said October 22. A growing concern among developed economies is what impact the current financial crisis will have long-term on developing nations and foreign financial assistance. President Bush is inviting the members of the Group of 20 to a “Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy” to be held in the Washington area November 15. It will be the first of a series of summits to bring together world leaders who participate in the G20 finance process to discuss current economic issues … (more) |
| The Democracy Video Challenge The U.S. Department of State has announced the launch of a worldwide competition aimed at enhancing the global dialogue on democracy. The launch took place on the United Nations’ first International Day of Democracy, September 15, 2008. The Democracy Video Challenge asks budding filmmakers, democracy advocates, and the general public to create video shorts that complete the phrase, “Democracy is…” The winners will be selected by the online voting public. Six regional winners will be eligible to claim an all-expense paid trip to the United States that includes screenings of their videos in New York, Hollywood and Washington, meetings with film directors, public officials and democracy advocates from nongovernmental organizations, and time on film and TV sets … (more) |
| Sharing Common Ideals Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has concluded a very successful and friendly visit to New Zealand across the last weekend of July. She arrived in Auckland on the evening of July 25th where she was met by NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, Bill McCormick. While here Secretary Rice was the guest of New Zealand government and on July 26th had meetings with Prime Minister Clark, Foreign Minister Peters, and Leader of the Opposition John Key. She was also hosted at a function by the United States New Zealand Council where she spoke on the strong and enduring friendship between the U.S. and NZ. Following a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, the evening concluded with a performance by the New Zealand Trio, a chamber music group, playing 'Helix', a piece by New Zealand composer John Psathas. The following day, the Secretary left for Samoa to meet with Pacific Island Foreign Ministers. |
 | | One of the Kiwi NZPRT soldiers in Bamiyan ceremonially welcomes Laura Bush. |
First Lady Laura Bush visits New Zealand troops in AfghanistanUnited States First Lady Laura Bush visited New Zealand troops working in Afghanistan as part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT). Her visit, on Sunday, was part of her third unannounced visit to Afghanistan, and occurred ahead of the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, to be held in Paris on June 12. Mrs Bush was greeted by the New Zealand troops with a traditional challenge and haka before meeting with members of the NZPRT, including the NZPRT Commander, Colonel Darryl Tracy. Following the greeting, Mrs Bush remarked that the NZPRT has been very effective in Afghanistan … (more) |
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The U.S. Consulate General in Auckland is the sole provider of Consular services in New Zealand - such as handling visas and providing services to U.S. Citizens.
The Embassy in Wellington is unable to provide consular services.
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