CONFERENCE2019
PROSPERITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPINFORMATIONPACKCONFERENCE & FUNCTION CENTRE
PALMERSTON NORTH, NEW ZEALAND
21-23 MARCH 2019

Contents
3Mayor’s Message
President’s Message

5

What is the SCNZConference?

6Conference Objectives

7

Who will be attending?
Why attend?

8

SCNZ Conference
Agenda11

Registration rates

13

Accommodation options

14

Key Contact

2

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Mayor’s Message
Kia Ora,Kia Ora, As the Mayor of Palmerston North City, I’m delighted to be hosting
the 2019 Sister Cities New Zealand National Conference. Home to leadingworld-class businesses, research and education institutes, Palmerston Northis humming with international activities and networks. This makes us one of
the most diverse, multicultural regional cities in New Zealand. New Zealandcities and regions are increasingly committed to driving communities, tothrive in a global marketplace. So our chosen theme for the 2019 conference
is “Prosperity through Partnership”, exploring the many ways that cities
and regional centres have a role in supporting international connectivity,trade, business and innovation. The conference will have a strong economic
development focus, an emphasis on practical outcomes, and include a range ofnational and international speakers. This event will be made even more special
and prominent by its timing with Palmerston North’s international Festival ofCultures, which is attended by thousands from around our region every year. I
warmly invite you to join us at this valuable national event.
Grant Smith,
Mayor of Palmerston North City

President’s Message
Nau mai, Haere mai,Nau mai, Haere mai, The aim of Sister Cities New Zealand (SCNZ) is to foster
international understanding and friendship between NZ cities, and toencourage the exchange of ideas, knowledge, culture, tourism and trade. At
its core, the Sister City movement was established to promote world peace
and prosperity through intercultural understanding and acceptance – a notionthat is just as important today as it ever was. At this conference, Mayors,
Ambassadors, city officials, businesses and community groups will cometogether and roll up their sleeves to share knowledge and unpack the samequestion – how do we make the most of our international partnerships andglobal city-to-city networks? These days this extends beyond the traditional
Sister City model to topics like economic alliances, strategic partnerships andcross-border projects. The SCNZ Board welcomes you this event and to support
our wider mission as we unlock the potential of our valuable international
partnerships.
Hiromi Morris,
President of Sister Cities New Zealand

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What is the SCNZ
Conference?
The Sister Cities New Zealand (SCNZ)
conference is an annual meeting ofmayors, elected members, local andcentral government officials, andcommunity leaders, to discuss, learn andexchange best practice on international
cooperation at a local level.
‘Sister Cities’ or ‘Friendship Cities’ are thetraditional terms for these city partnerships,
but the conference openly examines all formsof city and regional international relations,
including strategic city partnerships andprojects, economic alliances and participation
in international city networks.
At their core, all these types of international
city partnerships seek the same thing:cross-border communication and cooperationto achieve mutual benefits. They create achannel for the exchange of ideas, people, andmaterials across a range of cultural, economic,educational, youth, sports, municipal,professional, and technical projects.
The SCNZ organisation provides a network
for New Zealand cities to join knowledge andforces to make the most of these international
partnerships and support an NZ Inc. approachto global engagement.

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Conference Objectives•

For SCNZ members and delegates to deepen their knowledge of the context andopportunities of international economic, education, environmental and cultural
cooperation•For SCNZ members to exchange knowledge, ideas and tools for managing theirinternational city partnerships more effectively•

For cities and SCNZ members to discuss the revised report on the ‘Economic Benefitsof International City Partnerships for New Zealand’, and how to apply best practice totheir own city partnerships•For Palmerston North to welcome our international partner city guests, showcase thebest of our city, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across all relationships

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Who will be attending?
Local government:
Mayors, councillors, CEO’s, council officials
Diplomatic Corps:
Ambassadors, High Commissioners, diplomatic staff
Central government:
National agencies such as MFAT, LGNZ, MBIE and NZTEInternational visitors:
Including mayoral-led delegations from Palmerston North’s Sister Cities of Guiyang (China),Mihara (Japan), and Missoula (USA), the Chinese Association for Friendship with ForeignCountries (CPAFFC) and Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)
Business and Trade:
Economic Development Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, and other business leaders,owners and managers with an international interest
Universities and schools:
Senior leadership, educators, staff and volunteers
Community leaders:
Sister City Trusts, community boards/committees, youth leaders

Why attend?
•Unlock international opportunities and overcome challenges by sharing knowledge andbest practice through the sessions.

•Profile what you are achieving with your global partner cities, and be in for an Air New
Zealand SCNZ Award if you’re a member...

•Create valuable networks with leaders and policy makers from local and central
government and the diplomatic corps.

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SCNZ Conference Agenda
Thursday 21 March
Registration desk open

Conference &Function Centre foyer11amPōwhiri / opening ceremony

Te Marae o Hine(The Square)

12pm

Lunch

Conference &Function Centre –Elwood Room

1pm

Session 1: The contribution of global city partnerships to NZ
Economic Development and Foreign Affairs

Conference &Function Centre –Main Conference
Room2pm

Session 2: 2019 China NZ Year of Tourism – opportunities for
Sister cities

Conference Room

2:45pmAfternoon tea

Gallery Room

3:15pmSession 3: Regional Forums – break into regional groups for collaboration discussions

Conference breakout
spaces

4:15pmWalk to next venue

Te Manawa(next door)

4:00pmFriends of Palmerston North Sister City displays & presentationsat Te Manawa

Te Manawa

From 9am

5:00pm –7:00pm8Welcome reception and tour of the New Zealand Rugby Museum
Welcome by Hiromi Morris and Japanese Ambassador Kobayashi:
Celebrating the 2019 Rugby World Cup via Japan/NZ Sister Cities

Te Manawa,
New Zealand Rugby
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Friday 22 March
From 8am

9am

Registration
Session 4: Working across cultures –Keynote speaker - Dr Udo Fluck“Welcoming communities” panel
Cultural benefits via Sister Cities

Foyer

Conference RoomSession 5: Workshops - Measuring, reporting and communicating
benefits of city international relations

Breakout rooms

BreakGallery Room

11am

Session 5 continued: Workshop report back & conference discussion

Conference Room11.30am

Session 6: International environmental cooperation and knowledge
exchange

Conference Room

12:30pm

Lunch

Gallery Room

1:30pmSession 7: Māori and Indigenous exchange via Sister Cities –Cultural, educational and business opportunities

Conference Room

2:30pmSession 8: Practical tools and resources

Conference Room

3.00pmSession 9: Other city-to-city forums & events•2020 Olympics Host town initiative & 2021 World MastersGames - CLAIR presentation•
2020 Sister Cities Conference•2020 New Zealand China Mayoral Forum

Conference Room

3.40pmBreakGallery RoomSCNZ AGM

Seminar Room

Dinner guests arrive from 6pm
SCNZ Annual Dinner & Air NZ Awards evening

Elwood Room

10am
10:30am

4pm
6 - 9pm

Saturday 23 March
9:30 –
10:30am

Session 10: Prosperity through cultural diversity
Keynote speakers
Community & school presentations

Elwood Room

10.30amLight morning tea refreshments

Elwood Room

11.15 –
12:30pm

Korero 2019 (Youth Dialogue)

Elwood Room

12.30pm

Mayor Grant Smith: Closing remarks
All conference guests free to enjoy the Festival of Cultures in The Square

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Registration Rates
The electronic conference registration form can be accessed on the Sister Cities New Zealandwebsite page under the “events” tab.

Full Registration Rates (includes Awards Dinner)*$750+ GST – Member - Council & Corporate (early bird, until 15 Feb 2019)$850+ GST – Member - Council & Corporate (standard rate, after 15 Feb 2019)$500+ GST – Member - School, Community, or Individual$850+ GST – Non-Member (early bird, until 15 Feb 2019)$950+ GST – Non-Member (standard rate, after 15 Feb 2019)$300 – Students (ID required)

Single Day Registration Rates (does not include Awards Dinner)*$300+ GST – Member (21 March)$300+ GST – Member (22 March)$150+ GST – Member (23 March)$400+ GST – Non-Member (21 March)$400+ GST – Non-Member (22 March)$200+ GST – Non-Member (23 March)$100+ GST – Non-Member (21 March)$100+ GST – Non-Member (22 March)$50 – Students (21 or 22 March)
Free student entry for 23 MarchAwards Dinner$100+GST – Single Awards Dinner Pass

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11Accommodation Options
SCNZ has pre-arranged a number of suggested accommodation options all within shortwalking distance of the conference venue. These options will have special discounts forConference attendees, although you are free to pick your own accommodation options
as well.

Distinction Palmerston North$179 – Tower Superior Rooms - Room only
$199 – Tower Superior Rooms - Plus bed and breakfast based on occupancy$165 – Tower Standard Twin Rooms - Room only
$185 – Tower Standard Twin Rooms - Plus bed and breakfast based on occupancy
Address: 175 Cuba Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 355 5895
Email: reservations@distinctionpalmerstonnorth.co.nz
Website: www.distinctionhotelspalmerstonnorth.co.nz

Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North$145 – Superior Single Rooms - Room only (single occupancy)$165 – Superior Single Rooms - Plus bed and breakfast (single occupancy)$165 – Superior Double/Twin Rooms - Room only (double/twin occupancy)$185 – Superior Double/Twin Rooms - Plus bed and breakfast (double/twin occupancy)
Address: 110 Fitzherbert Avenue, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 356 8059
Email: copthorne.palmerston@millenniumhotels.co.nz
Website: www.millenniumhotels.com

For Reservations: Phone or email directly to the hotel and quote Sister Cities New Zealand Conference.
Note: all quotes include GST.

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Conference Venue
Conference & Function Centre354 Main Street,Palmerston North

Key Contact
For any enquiries please contact:
Jean Chua
National Administrator - Sister Cities
New Zealand
P: 027 236 3834
E: admin@sistercities.org.nz

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Sister Cities New Zealand is proud to partner with:

Toyota New Zealand (Main Conference Partner)

Air New Zealand (Awards Sponsor)

LGNZ (Sponsor)

UCOL(Supporting Sponsor)

MBIE (2019 China NZ Year of Tourism Sponsor)

Orbit World Travel (Sponsor)

CEDA(Supporting Sponsor)

Japan Embassy(SupportingSponsor)

CLAIR (Sponsor)

Palmerston North City
Council (Host City)