John Kerry has stamped his mark on the US Department of State by issuing his first statement: a message to the people of New Zealand to mark Waitangi Day.

The symbolism of starting out with such a release may have the Washington Post’s politics blog sniggering …

… Look, a picture of Gandalf – I know, your sides! – but more perspicacious observers of international affairs will have noticed the true subtext of Secretary Kerry’s first official pronouncement: a signal of unflinching continuity with his predecessor.

For here’s Hillary Clinton’s message from a year ago, and Kerry’s today. As they like to say in the White House: I know, right?