19 March 2019

Palmerston North to host international and NZ delegation at Sister Cities conference

International visitors from U.S.A., Japan, China and Australia as well as delegates from all over New Zealand are set to converge at the 2019 New Zealand Sister Cities conference in Palmerston North this week (21 – 23 March).

Palmerston North is hosting the conference—a fitting culmination to the city’s annual multicultural community celebration – the Festival of Cultures.

Over 100 attendees are participating at the conference, which is a yearly meeting of local and central government officials, ambassadors and community leaders to discuss, learn and exchange best practice on international cooperation at a local level.

“This is an opportunity for leaders to discuss how to foster global connections as well as how to derive the best economic and community development outcomes for New Zealand cities and regions,” says Hiromi Morris, Sister Cities New Zealand (SCNZ) President.

Two of Palmerston North’s sister cities are sending delegations to the conference: Missoula in Montana, U.S.A. and Mihara in Hiroshima, Japan.

“The focus of the conference will be ‘Prosperity through Partnership’,” says Toni Grace, PNCC’s International Relations Manager. “It’s about being proactive with our international relationships. We’re excited for our delegates to have valuable conversations and also be immersed in our city’s vibrant cultural scene.”

Palmerston North City Council has lined up a myriad of activities for its sister cities. Among others, delegates will be welcomed with a pōwhiri and some will stay at Te Rangimarie Marae, arranged by Rangitāne iwi.

Missoula’s delegates will arrive early this week. At the Festival of Cultures, their indigenous culture is set to shine with Native American arts leaders doing a traditional dance performance. Their focus will also be on strengthening projects, including student exchange and research cooperation between Palmerston North’s Massey University and Missoula’s University of Montana.

Delegates from Mihara will tour the city and will sign an official declaration of partnership with Palmerston North. They will also visit IPU to advance cooperation on education programmes.

“We’re seeing immense benefits from these partnerships. We look forward to building closer connections as we showcase Palmerston North through the Sister Cities conference and our own Festival of Cultures,” says Grace.

Aside from the Missoula and Mihara delegation, members of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) from Beijing and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations – Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR) from Sydney will also attend.

Highlights of the conference programme will include: an evening reception at the New Zealand Rugby Museum with Japanese Ambassador Hiroyasu Kobayashi, celebrating Sister City cooperation during the 2019 Rugby World Cup; a formal dinner and awards evening, attended by mayors from around the country and members of the Diplomatic Corp; a talk about the 2019 China New Zealand Year of Tourism and opportunities for promotions of Sister City links and; the release of NZIER’s (New Zealand Institute of Economic Research) report on maximising the benefits of Sister City relationships.

The full conference programme can be accessed at the Sister Cities New Zealand website.

The SCNZ conference and report are well supported by a range of national sponsors, including Local Government New Zealand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Toyota New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Orbit World Travel, the 2019 China New Zealand Year of Tourism, the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) and the Embassy of Japan, as well as local sponsors UCOL, CEDA and PNCC.

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