December 2015
SEASONS GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD The Board of Sister Cities New Zealand sends a special greeting this Christmas time. To you all we extend our very best wishes for a happy holiday season and look forward to working with you again in 2016.
Mary Kane – President and CEO of Sister Cities International has accepted the invitation extended by New Zealand President Hiromi Morris and Mayor Rachel Reese of Nelson to attend our Sister Cities New Zealand conference next April. We are delighted that Mary will travel to Nelson from USA to deliver a keynote address at this milestone 35th anniversary conference. Mary took on the role of president of Sister Cities International in October 2011. The organisation was founded in 1956 by Dwight Eisenhower and is a non profit, non partisan organisation for sister cities. In 2016 SCI celebrate their 60th anniversary. Mary is an attorney who lives in Potomac, Maryland and sits on numerous Mary Kane, President & CEO of SCI boards. Prior to her SCI role she was executive director of U.S Chamber of Commerce and was Secretary of State in Maryland for some time. A Facebook page is now up and running to promote the conference as well as providing information to help you plan your visit to Nelson - where to stay and what you might do if you stay on longer. Snippets of the conference programme will be posted as new speakers are confirmed; so Like us on Facebook and keep up to date with developments. We promise an exciting programme with a distinctly Nelson flavour. The first 50 likes go into a draw to win a special 'Welcome to Nelson Pack’ of hand selected local goodies that will greet you on your arrival at the 2016 Conference. Connect with us on Facebook at: URL: https://www.facebook.com/scnz.2016.nelson Registration Forms will be available on line at Nelson City Council: URL: http://nelson.govt.nz/council/council-structure/council-organisations-2/sister-and-friendly-cities/ SCNZ: URL: http://www.sistercities.org.nz/ before Christmas. Lyndal McMeeking, Conference Coordinator, 2016 Sister Cities Conference www.sistercities.org.nz
Sister Cities New Zealand Awards Sponsored by Air New Zealand The awards entry form will be available 2nd February 2016, closing date Wed 16th March 2016. Unsuccessful applications from 2015 may reapply for the 2016 awards.
Sister Cities Australia conference - Blacktown, Sydney 8-11 Nov 2015 SCNZ director Bernard Duncan attended the SCA conference in continuation of the exchange between SCA and SCNZ. Read his report here: URL: http://sistercities.org.nz/files/SCA%20conference%20report%20from%20Bernard%20Duncan.pdf
Bill Wilson, President SCA, Gaylene Kells Porirua City Council, Bernard Duncan SCNZ, Caisley Graham, Treasurer SCA
42nd Joint Meeting of the Japan New Zealand Business Council The 42nd Joint Meeting of the Japan New Zealand Business Council was held over three days from the 18th to the 20th of October 2015 at Grand Hotel New Oji, Tomakomai (Napier’s sister city), Hokkaido with the attendance of a total of 157 participants including 67 from New Zealand and 90 from Japan. For more details of the meeting see here: URL: http://sistercities.org.nz/?s=news#42nd-joint-meeting-jnzbc The 43rd annual conference of the Japan New Zealand Business Council will be held in Wellington, New Zealand, 24-25th November 2016.
All contributions and enquiries to editor@sistercities.org.nz
Deadline for Feb 2016 issue is 21st January 2016.
Napier Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Tomakomai Sister-City Relationship James Rowe Napier City Council On 13 November 2015, the Napier City Council held an official welcome for Mayor Iwakura and his delegation of 37 from Tomakomai, Japan. We also had the honour of his Excellency Toshihisa Takata, Ambassador of Japan attending along with Hiromi Morris, President of Sister Cities New Zealand. Also in attendance were 8 members of the Tomakomai Ainu Association and the Hawke’s Bay Japan Society. The Tomakomai / Napier sister-city relationship was formally initiated on April 22, 1980. The very successful relationship began because of the Tomakomai based Oji Corporation purchased the (sawmilling operation) that later grew into the Pan Pac Corporation. Pan Pac is now one of Napier’s leading employers. The corporation is the larger exporter through the Napier Port. The Oji Corporation has since expanded its New Zealand investment portfolio to now include three mills and contracts for vast tracts of forest land. Upon arrival in Napier on the 12th, the delegation was welcomed with a Maori greeting and then escorted to the Te Pania Scenic Hotel. On Wednesday, after the official welcome and exchange of gifts, Pan Pac hosted a luncheon at the Mission Estates Winery. As a special treat, Mrs. Michiko Matsuzaki demonstrated the art of soba noodle making during lunch. After lunch, the entire delegation visited and toured the Pan Pac facility. That evening our Japanese guests enjoyed
Mayor Iwakura cutting ribbon at exhibition opening
a special dinner at the Napier RSA. Robert Arrell, President of the Hawke’s Bay Japan Society, entertained the delegates by playing his bagpipes. The next morning, all participants attended the grand opening of the Treasures of Tomakomai Exhibition at the MTG Hawke’s Bay Museum. Mayor Iwakura cut the ribbon and introduced the public to the unique treasures that the Tomakomai Museum shipped to Napier for the exhibition. The very popular exhibition lasted for three weeks. The Tomakomai delegation visited the Osawa winery for a tour and tasting. Later, they were welcomed at the Pukemokimoki Marae for lunch. After lunch, the group had an opportunity to discover the Art Deco architecture of the city. The festivities concluded with a dinner at the Hawke’s Bay Club where everyone was treated to a number of musical performances by the Ainu group and several songs by Shirley Dalton, Mayor Dalton’s wife. As part of the sister-city programme, Napier City Council hosted a Tomakomai City Council staff member for two months before the visit. Natsuki Yoshida studied English, worked in various Council departments and helped set-up the exhibition at the museum.
Members of the Tomakomai Ainu Association
Lower Hutt visit to Japan strengthens connection, creates opportunities “This created a great opportunity for us to encourage further trade and exchange, including student attraction presentations and a booth dedicated to the promotion of Lower Hutt.” Thousands of residents, as well as travel company professionals attended. Mayor Ray Wallace addressed the gathering, and students on exchange from Tui Glen School performed a kapa haka to the delight of the audience.
( L) NZ Ambassador Mark Sinclair, CEO Tony Stallinger, Mayor Wallace , Mayor Kurata and Chairman Makino opening the Sake barrel to celebrate 20 Years of Sister City Friendship
A group of 34 people that included teachers, students, artists, Rotarians, Council reps and the SCNZ President formed part of the Lower Hutt Mayoral delegation who recently visited their sister city Minoh, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the signing of Sister City Agreement between Lower Hutt and Minoh City, Japan. Mayor Ray Wallace says it was a very special event and so wonderful to share the occasion with our friends in Minoh City. “We have a very strong relationship with Minoh through our Sister City connection, and the warmth and hospitality shown by the Minoh people was just amazing. Many of our delegation were “home-stayed” so also got the chance to really experience the cultural and traditions. We were made so welcome. We were treated like “royalty”. “We were delighted Hiromi Morris, President of Sister Cities New Zealand could also accompany the delegation on this important occasion. Having the President of Sister Cities added “Mana” to the delegation and Hiromi volunteered to be our official interpreter and cultural advisor”. “A highlight of the trip was the 20th Anniversary Celebration where New Zealand and Japanese culture was celebrated. Part of the celebrations was New Zealand Autumn Festival. The Japanese tradition of celebrating the beauty of autumn was given a Kiwi flavour as New Zealand wine, food and culture was showcased at the event.
The delegation strengthened their existing educational links with a Mayoral “Signing Ceremony” of a new teacher exchange programme which formalised the Teacher Exchange between the two cities. This has come as a result of the very successful “Schools Skype Programme” that has been in place between the two cities. The council officer who established the programme, Linda Goss-Wallace, was also part of the delegation. The visit has also strengthened Rotary Club ties, established new tours to Lower Hutt by Japanese Chorus groups. Art exchanges and more schools interested in the Skype programme are also being arranged. The delegation also sought to develop greater business connections with the world’s fourth largest economy. During the trip, Mayor Ray Wallace, Deputy Mayor David Bassett, Council CEO Tony Stallinger and Hutt City International Relations manager James Lamb met with Tsutomu Miyagi, the President of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This Chamber provides trade opportunities for small and medium sized, local and global enterprises. With a network of 28,000 business members from a city of three million people and a wider region of 19 million, this is a valuable connection for Lower Hutt. Tony Stallinger says, “It was great to be introduced to so many key contacts during our visit - meeting in person really enhances the relationship. Japan is a key market for New Zealand goods and services, and also an important source of innovation and research, which Lower Hutt strongly identifies with.” The delegations visit this year has been seen as the most successful visit by Lower Hutt ever and reinforces the value of Sister City relationships. Read more details in the delegate blog: URL: http://huttminoh.org.nz/minoh2015
New SCNZ member: Halswell School, Christchurch Halswell School is a large, full primary school in Christchurch. The school is 150 years old, but has been completely rebuilt, so is one of the most modern and innovative in New Zealand. The school has a great history of having many international students visiting, and has a large alumni in Korea.
Teacher Penny O’Connell is on the Christchurch Songpa-gu Sister City Committee. O’Connell and the school principal have recently returned from taking 13 Halswell students to China and Korea - visiting five schools in Qingdao, China, and several schools in Korea. This was part of the student delegation at the Sister City 20th Celebration.
Cailin McVicar : Halswell School, Christchurch Speech given at a recent Christchurch City Council meeting
Hello. I am Cailin McVicar, a year 7 student from Halswell School, Christchurch My incredible journey began like this - At school we were asked who would like to visit Schools in China and then join the Global Student Group and be part of the sister city celebrations in Songpa-gu in Korea. Also there would be the opportunity for us to be part of a new sister school partnership. I thought that would be an amazing experience to be part of. So 13 of us set to work cleaning the school and some quick fundraising activities took place. On 21 September we touched down in Shanghai for a stopover, then off to 5 schools in Qingdao, then onto Beijing. My memories are the homestays, performing at schools and of course the Palaces and the Great Wall.
10 days later it was farewell to China and hello Korea. The people were so lovely, the food was great and the sightseeing was astonishing. Lotte World was the best. I've hosted many Korean students and now it was my turn to see what Korea has to offer. I loved my homestay, they were so nice and really looked out for me. I enjoyed wearing the traditional hanbok and visiting a music performance school - I was even on TV! Then came the performance at the opening ceremony of the Baekje Festival. All the bright lights, a huge crowd, we were on! Proudly we started with the National Anthem, then Pokarekareana. The Korean traditional song Airirang was really special and our final Haka was stunning. What a wonderful end to an amazing adventure. Thank you all who made it possible.
Saitama Junior High Schools visit to Hamilton August 2015 An enthusiastic group of students and teachers from Hamilton’s sister city of Saitama, Japan, were welcomed to the city by Mayor Julie Hardaker at the Civic Building on August 12th this year. The students’ visit is a continuation of long-standing educational exchanges between Hamilton and Saitama City, with last year marking 30 years since the signing of the sister city relationship. The links were further strengthened in 2012, when a 120-year-old Children’s Shrine, used in parades, was gifted to Hamilton by local resident and former Saitama resident Takashi Shinohara. Mayor Hardaker said the Saitama students’ visit highlighted the combination of a youthful community
and access to world class educational facilities which Hamilton enjoys. Like Hamilton, Saitama has close and vital links with waterways, and its total river basin area is the largest in Japan. The region’s economy developed through extensive use of its river systems for transportation. “It is a pleasure to welcome and host these young students from Saitama. The High School’s exchange programme is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about New Zealand and our culture and it has been a great success since it started many years ago. ” Mayor Julie Hardaker said. “I hope they will see many of the wonderful assets Hamilton, our region and our country has to offer during their stay.” Hamilton’s sister cities are Saitama City, ( Japan), Wuxi City, (China), and City of Sacramento, (USA). Hamilton City Council
Councillors and students at the Civic Building.
A Japanese student trying a lamington.
Lili-Campbell Tie. Year 8, Cobham Intermediate School Global Student Tour 2015 Our trip to Korea was a once in a lifetime experience. There was never a dull moment during our time there, even the toilets were fascinating! Song-Pa is such a beautiful and amazing place, and I know that all of us who went were extremely grateful for the opportunity to go there. All of the skyscrapers and parks were unlike anything we have in Christchurch. We were extremely honoured to go on behalf of Christchurch and celebrate 20 years of being sister cities. We got to befriend some really cool people along the way as well, including the kids from Casebrook school. We developed friendships with some of the Korean students
that we went to school with which was really cool. It was amazing to see how they go through their daily lives. I loved performing at the festival in front of thousands of people and sharing the Maori culture with them. It was fascinating how the Korean media were obsessed with the Kapa Haka group, that went to Korea as well, when they were performing the traditional Maori Haka and waiata. I am sure that everyone on the trip loved the food also, my favourite was the dumplings. We were all impressed with how well they treated us there, we were like royalty! This was a trip that will stay with me my entire life, and I am overly grateful for everyone who was involved and helped out throughout our time there.
SCHOOL EXCHANGES Napier – Tomakomai School Visit to Sister-City Robert Arrell October 2015 Japan Society of Hawke’s Bay
Mayor of Tomakomai, Mr Iwakura, with students and staff from Napier Boys’ High School
The ninth trip to Japan organised by Mr Arrell began with a five night homestay in the northern city of Tomakomai on the island of Hokkaido. The boys were welcomed at the Tomakomai Commercial High School by families from the New Zealand Society of Tomakomai. Each boy delivered a self-introduction in Japanese and then the group performed a lively haka led by school prefect Reuben Van Selm. Each day was filled with a variety of activities such as Temple and Shrine visits, a visit to martial arts, calligraphy and English language classes at Tomakomai East High School and a trip to the Toyota Motor Corporation factory in Tomakomai. There was also a day-trip to the steel-factory city of Muroran and an Ainu village replicating life in pre-conquest Hokkaido.
The tour group then flew to the megalopolis of Osaka and stayed in a Youth Hostel in the city’s centre. Within easy access of superb public transport there were day trips to Hiroshima as well as the ancient capital city of Japan, Kyoto. A visit was arranged to Kansai University Number One High School, and that afternoon the boys were able to explore Japan’s largest and most majestic castle, Osaka Castle, home to the great Shogun of Japan, Toyotomi Hideoshi. After four nights in Osaka the group travelled by the Shinkansen to Japan’s main megalopolis, Tokyo, for the final night in Japan. The Youth Hostel in Tokyo was near the Imperial Palace and the serene atmosphere contrasted with the liveliness of Osaka. However, the majestic buildings and wider streets of Tokyo were peopled with just as many, if not more, polite and fashionable people from one of the oldest countries in the world.
Central Regional Workshop
20th November: participants in the Central Regional Workshop in Wellington.
L-R: Katsunori Kamibo (CLAIR), Ray Wallace, Gail Collingwood, Hiromi Morris, Noriyuki Shiba (CLAIR)
Sister Cities New Zealand held a workshop in Wellington on 20th November 2015, to keep the momentum going following workshops at the 2015 SCNZ conference, and to provide an opportunity for networking, information sharing, and exchanging of local sister city activities and experiences. The workshop was hosted by Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and supported by Asia NZ Foundation.
. This report from Asia New Zealand Foundation will be of interest. Link to PDF: URL: http://asianz.org.nz/reports/wpcontent/uploads/2015/10/ANZF1053_Report_Full_2015-WEB.pdf Online report: URL: http://asianz.org.nz/reports/report/beyond-themetropoles-the-asian-presence-in-small-city-new-zealand/ Press release: URL: http://www.asianz.org.nz/mediarelease/beyond-metropoles-%E2%80%93-asian-dimension-growssmall-nz-cities
Student visa dashboards: URL: http://enz.govt.nz/markets-research/general-research/studentvisa-dashboards-october-2015 Economic impact of International Education 2014: URL: http://enz.govt.nz/markets-research/general-research/theeconomic-impact-of-international-education-2014
Other Workshops in 2016 Auckland: 11th February 2016 6-8pm Auckland Council Chambers Rotorua: 8th March 2016 11am - 4pm Rotorua Lakes Council Christchurch: 16th March 2016 1-4:30pm Christchurch City Council
The international student expenditure estimates were prepared by Infometrics. They suggested that an average foreign fee-paying student spent $6,500 on tuition fees and $17,600 on living costs in 2008. The Statistics New Zealand consumer price index shows a 36.8% increase in tertiary education fees between 2008 and 2015 while the overall increase in the CPI was 11.8%. Inflation adjusting the Infometrics estimates suggests that foreign fee-paying students spent $8,900 on tuition fees and $19,700 on living costs in 2015. Based on current international student numbers in Palmerston North, this would translate into annual student expenditure of $60 million in 2015. Not all of this expenditure will have occurred in Palmerston North due to student travel to other areas. The economic impact estimate of $62 million takes into account the effect of student expenditure in other areas and the multiplier impact of student spending in the City. Information supplied by Sheryl Bryant, General Manager, City Future, Palmerston North City Council.
Long friendships lead to successful business ‘New Zealand Corner’ in Xiamen Supermarkets
Seashine officials have a Beach Break, with Janet (Wellington Xiamen Association) and Tom Yuan ( WCC).
Xiamen, Wellington’s sister city in China, is home to the giant Seashine Group – a state-owned enterprise with a $2 billion annual turnover. The Group is involved in many different areas of commerce – real estate, tourism, aquatic and agricultural products, food processing, grain trade, and most importantly for this article – it has a chain of 75 supermarkets. Last November, the General Manager of Seashine Group visited Wellington as part of the large, high-level Xiamen mayoral delegation. During two more Seashine delegations to Wellington and two Wellington mayoral visits to Xiamen, discussions have resulted in the establishment of “New Zealand Corners” in six of these supermarkets.
These Corners are stocking quality New Zealand products – wine, honey, water and fruit drinks, milk powder and fresh milk, seafood, beef and lamb, and Seashine have been helped to source these products from all over NZ by the Wellington City Council and WREDA (Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency). In the true networking way of sister city organisations, a common thread through this project has been the long friendship between Wellington Xiamen Association and our liaison from Xiamen Foreign Affairs, who is now the Global Sourcing Manager for Seashine stores! An added bonus for NZ producers who do get their products selected for the New Zealand Corners is that because of Xiamen’s status as one of the 5 original Special Economic Zones in China, the export process can often be fast-tracked. Te Mata Estate wine was on the shelf in Xiamen only 3 months after Seashine’s initial visit to the winery in Hawkes Bay. Janet Andrews Wellington Xiamen Association
REGIONAL CONNECTIONS Sister Cities New Zealand facilitated the connection of Zhejiang Province, China, and the Wellington Region. A memorandum of understanding was signed in September 2012.
China Zhejiang Province engaged with Wellington region
Fourth from left, standing, Mr Chen Jiayuan, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Province, with Hiromi Morris (5th from left, standing). Tom Yuan, WCC, seated left.
Early in November, Mr Chen Jiayuan, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Province led a high ranking delegation to Wellington. The delegation was made up of representatives from the Zhejiang provincial government, including senior officials from foreign affairs office, industry and commerce departments. With Sister City New Zealand’s support, Wellington with Hutt City, Porirua City and Kapiti District Councils established a strategic economic partnership with China
Zhejiang Province in September 2012. The partnership agreement focuses on increasing trade, study links, education exchanges and the mutual understanding between Zhejiang and cities in the Wellington regions. While Mr Chen was in Wellington, Mayor Celia WadeBrown met him and the NZ China Mayoral Forum and the Wellington Chinese Garden project have been mentioned in the meeting. CEOs from Hutt City, Wellington Regional Economic Agency (WREDA), Grow Wellington and former Porirua Mayor discussed potential areas for cooperation. Zhejiang is looking to engage with the Wellington region through education, trade and investment. With a GDP of over 500 million USD Zhejiang is one of the most prosperous provinces in China. Zhejiang has been leading the nation in marketization and the development of private enterprises. Next year the Zhejiang Province will host the G20 Summit. James Free Wellington City Council
REGIONAL COLLABORATION Nelson Choir to tour Japan in 2016 Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association have been overwhelmed with support received in Japan for their proposed Citizen’s Delegation/Choir Tour in October 2016. On a recent scoping visit the Association Chair Lyndal McMeeking and choir director Carl Browning investigated venues and arrangements in Miyazu, Osaka and Kyoto cities. The great support and assistance received in these cities has resulted in concerts now being planned in each, along with a performance in Minoh City (sister city to Hutt City) following an introduction facilitated by Sister Cities New Zealand. Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace happily endorses this opportunity to share and strengthen relationships with Minoh “Minoh Multicultural Centre are very keen for the
Lyndal McMeeking & Carl Browning meet with Teruo Mikami, Executive Director, Minoh Association For Global Awareness (MAFGA) in Minoh City.
exchange of art and culture between the two Cities and Countries. Your recent visit has only strengthened our relationship (with Minoh City) so we hope that plans work out for you in October 2016.” The trip will culminate in the choir giving two performances in Nelson’s sister city Miyazu in an auditorium overlooking the spectacular ‘Amanohashidate’ (Bridge to Heaven). This will be a keenly anticipated part of the celebrations planned for the 40-Year anniversary of the sister city connection between Nelson & Miyazu. More than 30 people have so far registered interest in being part of this trip to Japan. Lyndal McMeeking Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association
Chieko Dietz of Napier Receives Award
L - R: Chieko Dietz, Napier Deputy Mayor, Cynthia Bowers, New Zealand Director of Kiwi Bank.