Key wraps Clinton's Wellington visit with intimate BBQ

Hillary Clinton is arguably the most powerful woman in the world – just four steps down from the presidency itself.

When she travels, she travels with an entourage befitting her status.

Today, in and around the Beehive there was no security measure too small to ensure the Secretary of State’s safety.

There was pacing, prodding, searching and sniffing.

Ms Clinton arrived in Hollywood style – against a backdrop of golden sunrise, in a plane leaving no question as to the country she represents.

But well before the sun rose, New Zealand media huddled in the cold, testing equipment under security’s watchful eyes, before being shuffled single file into the hangar.

Ms Clinton was greeted by the United States Ambassador, David Huebner, and Wellington’s trademark gusts – which also accompanied her on a walk around the waterfront.

A spokesman for Ms Clinton’s security detail declined to disclose just how many staff were travelling with her today.

Tonight there will be a change in diet and a change of pace for Ms Clinton; staff at Logan Brown in Wellington have spent two weeks coming up with a menu for an intimate barbeque at Premier House with Prime Minister John Key.

Just 12 people made the guest list – three shy of the number of cars it took to drive Ms Clinton 900 metres to the Beehive.

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