Dunedin and Otaru celebrate 35th sister city anniversary

Dunedin (Friday, 30 October 2015) – A delegation of 33 people from Otaru, Japan will be in Dunedin from November 1-4 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Dunedin and Otaru.

The Otaru delegation is led by the city's Mayor Hideaki Morii and also includes the Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand Toshihisa Takata.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, "As well as celebrating 35 years of close friendship, the visit is an opportunity to showcase Dunedin, build on our educational and cultural connections and discuss tourism and economic opportunities."

As well as attending a civic welcome and a civic dinner with Mr Cull and invited guests, the Otaru delegation will visit Toitū, Dunedin Chinese Garden, Botanic Garden, University of Otago, Otago Museum, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Olveston and travel on the Taieri Gorge Railway to Pukerangi during their visit.

Mr Cull will also officially open an Otaru and Dunedin Sister Cities Photographic Exhibition in the Wall Street Mall. The exhibition portrays early life in Dunedin and Otaru and illustrates the physical similarities between the two cities – both have steep hills beside large, natural harbours. The exhibition will run simultaneously in Otaru.

Dunedin's close connection with Otaru was first instigated in July 1980 by the then Mayor of Dunedin (Sir) Clifford Skeggs, in part as a way of encouraging meat exports from Dunedin to Otaru.

Mr Cull says much of the recent interaction has been based around the youth of the two cities with regular exchanges at secondary and tertiary level.

"This is an area for us to keep working on, as this is the future of our healthy relationship. We are also keen to pursue common interests in cultural exchange, tourism and research and development," he says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media