«Rish with chips»: Rishi Sunak seduces New Zealand Prime Minister with sausages

Inspired by Rishi Sunak's proposal, Prime Minister Kiwi donated a bottle of tomato ketchup he had brought from New York. Zeeland Photo: 10 Downing Street/BEEM

Let's call it the little-known art of sausage diplomacy.

When the New Zealand Prime Minister met Rishi Sunak in Downing Street on Friday, he received an unusual gift — a giant dish of Greggs sausages.

The gift was a light-hearted nod to Chris Hipkins' penchant for snacks, an indulgence he'd often spoken about in the past.

Last year, when he was New Zealand Police Minister, his staff gave him a sausage roll for his birthday.

In the spirit of Mr. Sunak's proposal, Prime Minister Kiwi presented a bottle of tomato ketchup he brought back from New Zealand.

“The sausage rolls were very good. I think that in the future I will have the role of brand ambassador for sausage rolls around the world,” said Hipkins.

It was the first meeting between the two leaders, and the sausage rolls seemed to break the ice. , so to speak.

Chris Hipkins is known as «Mr Fixit» for his ability to take on difficult government portfolios. No. 10″ is a reference to Mr. Hipkins' nickname Chippy.

This isn't the first time the two men have exchanged views on the delights of sausage rolls.

When Mr. Hipkins became prime minister in January following the unexpected resignation of Jacinda Arden, Mr. Sunak congratulated him with a tweet.

“Looking forward to working with @ Zealand.

“Our countries have so much in common and I hope that we will soon discuss our common priorities in person – maybe over a British sausage roll?”

-hurried Mr. Mr Hipkins. responded with a cheery tweet in which he said, «I'll bring the tomato sauce.»

«Best thing in a long time»

On Downing Street, the New Zealand leader said relations with the UK were «the best they've been in a long time».

Mr Sunak called them «as strong as ever».

The two men discussed the free trade agreement between the UK and New Zealand, which will come into force later this month, as well as climate change and the war in Ukraine, during a half-hour sit-down.

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Commentary on the meeting, broadcaster Radio New Zealand said: «On the New Zealand side, there is a sense that after a few turbulent years in British politics, relations between the two countries are on the mend again.»

Known as «Mr Fixit» for his ability to fill difficult positions in government, Hipkins' credibility received a boost when he took on the role of New Zealand's Covid Response Minister during the pandemic.

He became even more famous after he made a caveat that went viral, offering New Zealanders suffering from quarantine restrictions , «spread your legs» when he meant «stretch your legs».