Many New Zealanders got up early this morning to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC.

After the Vice President, Joe Biden, was sworn in, Barack Obama also took the oath. He put his hand on the bible that once belonged to Abraham Lincoln and promised to do his best as President. He is now the 44th President of the United States of America.

He said that his country will reach out to other countries which share the same values like a love of freedom. This includes New Zealand. We expect that New Zealand will have a good relationship with the United States.