Worth quoting: President Joe Biden

This weekend is the Waitangi Day holiday weekend, and yesterday most politicians were in Waitangi for the observance. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern later posted a message from President Biden on her official Facebook Page. She said:

Just got home from Waitangi to find a letter from President Joe Biden to mark Waitangi Day. Given it was intended for everyone, I thought I’d share it here!

Here is the message she shared:

Dear Prime Minister.

The American people join me in offering warmest regards to the people of New Zealand on the occasion of Waitangi Day on February 6.

New Zealand is one of our closest friends and partners. The unbreakable bond we share was established when the first U.S. Consul to New Zealand was on hand to witness the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840. We have since partnered together to build the multilateral framework that benefits our nations as well as the global population.

I look forward to strengthening the U.S.-New Zealand relationship and cooperating to overcome the greatest challenges of our time...

I have fond memories of my trip to your country in 2016 when New Zealand’s legendary reputation for friendliness and hospitality was on full display. I wish you and all New Zealanders well on this Waitangi Day.

Sincerely

Joseph R Biden

The meme accompanying this post was created by Democrats Abroad, an official group of the USA’s Democratic Party to, among other things, inform and organise US citizens who support the Democratic Party and live overseas. The group shared it to their Facebook Page. The meme contains an excerpt from a speech delivered on February 4 (USA time), “Remarks by President Biden on America’s Place in the World”. His message to New Zealand is a concrete example of what he was talking about.

The elipsis at the end of third paragraph of President Biden's message may indicate some of what he said was redacted for some reason, and, if so, it could mean there are areas where New Zealand will still chart an independent course—because there are, and it will. The point is, the two countries will work together again on mutual goals again, and that's a good thing.