CONFERENCE 2005 THE FAR NORTH IS READY AND WAITING TO WELCOME DELEGATES TO THE 2005 ANNUAL SISTER CITIES CONFERENCE 6 – 9 APRIL 2005
The dedicated team of Far North District Council staff is working its magic to create a memorable 3 day conference for you to enjoy. Your time in the Far North will be treasured and most importantly you will know there is life after Auckland’s Harbour Bridge.
Details on how to get to the Copthorne Waitangi are on our website HYPERLINK "http://www.fndc.govt.nz" www.fndc.govt.nz or call Lyn McCarty on 09 401 5224. The map below gives you an outline of the route from Auckland.
Whether flying or driving, the diversity of the Far North will simply astonish you. If you are planning to fly, consider booking early to take advantage of the cost effective flights available.
Copthorne, Waitangi Located within the Waitangi National Trust, surrounded by bushwalks, scenic golf course, the historic National Treaty House and beautiful Bay of Islands sea views. 145 guest rooms all with tea and coffee facilities, mini bars, hair dryer, iron and ironing boards, Sky TV, direct dial phones and radios. Non smoking rooms available. Enjoy the spectacular rock pools, large outdoor spa, tennis court and activities galore. The restaurant and bar offer informal dining within a relaxed atmosphere .
Leave your snow boots at home and bring out the summer shirts to enjoy the vibrant sun in the cradle of the nation. Held at the Copthorne Hotel, located on the shores of the Waitangi River and only a few minutes from Paihia, the 2005 Sister Cities Conference will provide the opportunity to experience the wonderful part of New Zealand we proudly call home. On Day one NZ Trade & Enterprise will provide the Waitangi keynote speaker. Bay of Islands The keynote speaker will be Whangarei followed by two highly successful New Zealander’s who have made a global impact AUCKLAND with their individual export businesses. Day two will include a mystery tour during which you will explore all aspects of the Far North’s beauty. The tour will end at the venue for the day with a seafood extravaganza awaiting hungry travellers. In keeping with our theme of “Sailing into the Future”, we will have a visit from the Kerikeri Youth Sailors later in the day. Following this an open panel will discuss the successful student and teacher international exchanges, and the outcomes of the Rotorua Youth Forum held in September this year. The social calendar is set and we are determined to keep you entertained. Rekindle old friendships and start new ones. Take a tour around the local businesses district and a trip around the famous Bay of Islands on a luxury catamaran. Whatever the reason for attending the 2005 Sister Cities Conference in the Far North, be rest assured you will be welcomed traditionally and treated like VIP’s as you visit this special part of New Zealand. Consider extending your stay to fully enjoy the various day trips offered. Whether you prefer deep sea fishing or diving and sand dune tobogganing, or more sedate activities such as absorbing the local history at one of our amazing museums, there is plenty of assistance available to help you plan a few extra days here.
Main Accommodation Providers
Hotel Autolodge Paihia is the ideal base from which to explore the Bay of Islands area. We provide a full range of facilities to help make your stay memorable. • 72 standard rooms and 4 one-bedroom suites and 1 two-bedroom suite (all air-conditioned) • Kitchens in all suites and some rooms • Licensed restaurant and Cocktail Bar • Swimming pool • Sauna • Indoor Spa Pool • Games room • Complimentary bicycles • Sky TV • Guest laundry • Off street parking • Conference facilities for 10-30 people There are many other accommodation providers at a wide range of prices. For further information about accommodation please call our Information Office on 0800-363-463 and they will help you to find alternative accommodation in close proximity to Copthorne.
National Youth Advisor Takes up the Role Marcella Herrera 59a Ashwood Street, Parklands, Christchurch, New Zealand Phone 03 383 8698 or 021 236 5970, work 03 366 8409 ext 215
Kingsgate Autolodge Marsden Road, Paihia, Phone: 64 9 402 7416, Fax: 64 9 402 8348, Freephone: 0800 65 2929 Located on the waterfront and only 100 metres from Paihia Wharf and township the Kingsgate
Marcella has worked as a secondary school teacher at Rotorua Girls’ High School and at Cashmere High School in Christchurch. Her relationship with Sister Cities NZ began through the Christchurch City Council while working in the Children’s and Youth Advocacy Team. After facilitating the youth workshops at the 2003 Conference, a group of young people expressed a willingness to become involved in the Sister Cities movement. Marcella then became the facilitator for this fabulous group known as ICY (International Christchurch Youth). She has recently been appointed National Youth Advisor for Sister Cities New Zealand.
HOW TO GET TO THE BAY OF ISLANDS BY ROAD – SELF DRIVE A comfortable 3 hour drive from Auckland on State Highway 1 brings you to the heart of Northland. From Whangarei, follow the signs to Cape Reinga and after passing through Moerewa, 8 minutes north of Kawakawa, turn onto State Highway 10 at the Pakaraka School. Take the right turn at the Puketona Junction and follow the signs to Waitangi. The Copthorne Hotel is at the end of the one way bridge over the Waitangi River. BY COACH Northliner Express Coachlines provides a daily service from Auckland to Paihia. For reservations ph 09 307 5873 or book on-line. If this is your mode of transport, please let us know so we can have a transfer vehicle available for you at Paihia. BY AIR Air New Zealand runs a Link Service from Auckland Domestic Airport. There are 6 midweek flights per day into the Bay of Islands Airport which is on the outskirts of Kerikeri. Transfers will be provided for all flights. Alternatively, you can fly into Whangarei and take the coach from there. Kaitaia also has an airport with one flight in each day. You would need to connect with a Northliner Express Coach to travel south to Waitangi from Kaitaia.
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Awards The Air New Zealand Awards for "best practise and success stories" in Sister Cities have been expanded for the 2005 Year onwards, and have received a significant support boost from sponsor and backer Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand's support for sister cities in New Zealand goes a long way back to 1980 when efforts were made to convene an exploratory meeting in Wellington, followed by the convening of the inaugural national conference in Taupo in 1981. Air New Zealand provided travel support to key persons associated with these founding meetings, which lead to the setting up of Sister Cities New Zealand ( Inc). For the last eight years, Air New Zealand has been associated with the Sister Cities NZ national awards which have grown in quantum, quality and stature in the that period. They provide recognition, success models and encouragement in the diverse field of community-to-community exchange and development. For 2005 onward a "third category" highlighting for the first time "Business or Commercial" Projects has been added to the two other categories of "Youth, Education or School" ; and "Culture, Sport or Recreation." This broadens the opportunity for the sister city network to promote and celebrate "economic" aspects of relationships; and emphasises the findings of the 2003 NZIER Study which showed that more planning and activity was being directed toward exploring economic opportunities. Air New Zealand has extended it's support for the Awards by providing generous travel sponsorship for all three categories: $2500 for First Place in each category; and $500 for Second Place in each category. Also provided to support the Awards are resources for promotional and formal purposes. Entry Brochures were posted to members of Sister Cities NZ in November 2004, and closure date is Friday 25 February 2005 with National Office. Some tolerance can be given for late entry, provided initial advice is received. Further copies of the Entry Brochure can be obtained form National Office ( see NEW CONTACTS Directory with this News Briefs). The results of the Air New Zealand Sister Cities 2005 Awards will be announced during the Awards Dinner as part of this years Annual Conference at Waitangi 6 to 9 April.
BULLETIN BOARD
( Important snippets from Sister Cities NZ Board / National Office ) 2007 Conference Bids will be formally opened in late April following the Waitangi Conference. Closing date will be end July; and there will be a Board decision and advice to "applicants" by mid October. Expressions of interest are already been received at national office. Reminder 2006 Conference. This was awarded to the bid from Wellington City Council. A major theme will be a 25th Anniversary Celebration of Sister Cities between China and New Zealand, and of Sister Cities NZ (Inc.) itself. Highly appropriate that our Capital City should play host to this theme and occasion. CPAFFC of China have already pledged their full support for this Conference.
GRASSROOTS SURVEY About 26 City and District Council Members of Sister Cities NZ responded to the detailed Grassroots Survey sent out in July/August last year.The survey has received major professional design support and testing from Dr Rebecca Foley at the Asia New Zealand Foundation; and Rebecca is currently inputting data. It is not too late to contribute to this pioneering research effort, and we ask that all financial members ( Councils and community groups ) assist by sending back completed forms ASAP. Post direct to Asia NZ Foundation or National Office. The Survey results will be presented as part of an intriguing presentation at the Sister Cities national conference at Waitangi.
WEBSITE Hits on the website and actual usage of the resource has continued at a very high level since the inauguration of the revamped national website in April 2003. The development and maintenance of the website has been made possible by a three year sponsorship by Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd. Sister Cities NZ now receives many contacts from media, Government agencies and other national and international interests through their initial browsing of the website. Further discussion is now underway to update and upgrade the site. One of the main aims will be to provide a "hotlink" to all Council Sister Cities website around the country.
Photo come Fund Aichi World ExpotoLeveraging Sister Cities New Zealand has been invited to contribute a proposal to this fund. Another sign a healthy recognition of our profile and valuable activity on the Japan - New Zealand equation. While the Board has not progressed it's own proposal, it has given backing to other Sister Cities proposals now being considered. Weare grateful to Aichi Commissioner-General Phillip Gibson and Elizabeth Gollan of NZTrade and Enterprise for the opportunity they are allowing.
NEW National Contacts The national office/ contact is being carried out on a temporary basis by President Jeremy Dwyer based at Clive. Postal items can still be forwarded to Sister Cities NZ c/o Hastings District Council, Private Bag 9002, HASTINGS. Other key contacts now : Tel: ( 06 ) 8700628 Fax: ( 06) 8700615 Email : mayjay@xtra.co.nz
AGM and Board Elections /Formal Notice: Formal notice is given to financial members of Sister Cities New Zealand (Inc.) of : 1. The Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 6 April 2005 at 4PM at the conference venue at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. Formal agenda papers and the Presidents Annual report will be posted to members in March. 2. The Opening of Nominations for the Board of Sister Cities NZ (Inc.). Board positions coming up for election this year include: • President • One of two Vice Presidents • Three of Six Directors Current Board members holding these positions are eligible for nomination. Nomination information and papers will be posted to financial members of SCNZ(Inc) by end February.
Resourcing and Supporting
A preliminary planning meeting between SCNZ and Wellington City Council was held in Wellington on 4 February. President Jeremy Dwyer also met with representatives of the Sakai and Xiamen Associations. Financial Membership SCNZ - Membership Invoices for the 2005 calendar year have been posted. The SCNZ Board is presently deliberating an option to reduce the size of the national board. The Board is comprised of a President, Immediate-Past President, two Vice Presidents, Six Directors, a Youth Director, and includes a representative of MFAT ( Foreign Affairs). Australia's ASCA operates successfully on with a national board of six, and the NZ board size has become a costly component as ou services and activity has expanded. The issue will be tabled for discussion and feedback at the AGM at Waitangi 6 to 9 April.
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