The prime minister returned to his official residence in London after an eight-day series of foreign engagements in Rwanda, Germany and Spain – and faced fresh political pressure to resign his deputy leader, Chris Pincher, amid allegations of gaffes. But he had a chance to take his mind off the domestic turmoil when he met Mrs Ardern, telling her it was a “great, great pleasure” to welcome her. Politics Hub: Boris Johnson agrees to withdraw whip from Tory MP after ‘drunken groping’ allegations Mr Johnson looked relaxed as he and his fellow prime minister – who, like himself, recently attended the NATO summit in Madrid – watched a Maori dance in No 10 Gardens. The Prime Minister smiled and applauded the haka, which was staged by performers in traditional costumes – and was pictured greeting them face to face. It was Ms Ardern’s first visit to the UK since the COVID-19 pandemic – and since the two countries signed a free trade deal in February, although it has yet to be ratified. New Zealand only recently reopened its borders to international visitors after two years of strict border policies amid the global pandemic. Ms Ardern said her visit to the UK and Europe was an “incredibly important milestone for us in New Zealand” and meant “we are open for business, for trade, for tourism”. Image: Pic: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street Image: Pic: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street The two leaders share common ground on Ukraine and Mr Johnson praised New Zealand’s “very strong line”. They also signed an agreement giving more opportunities for young people to travel between the UK and New Zealand to live and work. The agreement will expand the youth and working holiday mobility programmes. It increases the maximum age limit for applicants from 30 to 35 and increases the maximum length of stay for people in the host country to three years. Image: Pic: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street Image: Pic: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street
