John Key's Letterman video released

Prime Minister John Key had just over four minutes to persuade millions of Americans to visit New Zealand, and he had a fair go at it.

Appearing today on the Late Show with David Letterman, Mr Key had to read out 10 reasons for visiting New Zealand, prepared by the show's writers.

Mr Key admitted he might struggle to get a laugh out of Kiwis after his appearance.

Speaking after the show was pre-recorded, Mr Key said the humour was probably pitched toward an American audience, rather than a Kiwi one, but the show had been a great experience.

But apart from a risky promise to personally pick up tourists at the airport, they gave him an easy ride.

Letterman set the scene after Mr Key walked into the studio with a cheery wave.

''How many years ago did you get on the plane to come here?'' Letterman asked.

Mr Key admitted ''I've aged a lot'' and then had to confirm that mail actually did reach New Zealand. By pigeon, he said.

As the show ran through the top 10 Mr Key was relaxed and chatty with a host who sometimes gives his guests a hard time, although Mr Key admitted later he had been ''a little bit nervous'' before he went in.

Letterman questioned his producer at one point: ''Why is he here, Dave?'' and was told the prime minister's mission was to read out the Top 10.

''It's prime time viewing for promoting New Zealand,'' Mr Key said after the show.

The show is watched by between three and four million viewers in the US, as well as having a worldwide audience.

Mr Key took his wife Bronagh and children Max and Steffie to the show.

Asked for the family's verdict on his appearance he said they seemed happy enough.

Mr Key stopped to watch the rest of the show after his appearance and said it had been a great promotion for New Zealand.

Letterman had been genuinely interested in New Zealand and told Mr Key it was the "best place he'd never been".

"He's genuinely scared of  flying which is why he said he hasn't been down there. He sems to know a lot about it."

Tourism New Zealand lobbied to get Mr Key on the show while he was in New York for the opening of the UN General Assembly, and chief executive George Hickton was at the scene.

''It's great to get that sort of profile,'' he told reporters.

''It's very hard to get noticed in this country and it's a very popular show ... we just try to keep New Zealand's profile up as much as possible.''

Mr Hickton was sure of success.

''We'll be noticed, and people will be talking about New Zealand. That was the whole aim of it.''

Knowing Letterman was a motor racing fan, Mr Key presented him with an Indy 500 champion Scott Dixon T-shirt.

Prime Minister John Key's top 10 list of reasons to visit New Zealand:.

1. Unlike most of the world, we still like Americans.

2. We drive on the left side of the road, like the British and Lindsay Lohan.

3. 70 percent of our energy is generated through renewable hydropower - look, these don't all have to be jokes.

4. Visit in the next 30 days, I'll pick you up at the airport.

5. Get the whanau together, stay in a bach, crack open the chilly bin and slap on your jandals.

6. Down there Leno's on at 9 o'clock.

7. It's like England without the attitude.

8. Only a convenient 20-hour flight away.

9. We have the loosest slot machines in the Pacific rim.

10. The Auckland airport now has a Cinnabon (a chain store specialising in sweet Danish pastries).

- TRACY WATKINS/The Dominion Post and NZPA

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