December 2023

Newsletter
From the Board
Message from President Mayor Grant Smith
Kia ora,As 2023 draws to a close, we are looking forward toseeing you all again at our GCNZ national conferencein Blenheim, Marlborough, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th
March next year. Please register now for the two daysof conference which finishes with our Annual Awards
dinner on the Friday evening.
In this newsletter we feature Sister Cities connections
for Cambridge and Le Quesnoy, France as well as Bihoro,
Japan. While metros Wellington City visits Asia, signingup formally with Seoul in South Korea, and Dunedinreconnects with long-time partner Shanghai in China.
We hear about the Korea-NZ Smart Cooperation Forumand our very own GCNZ Youth Forum, while GCNZ
Board member Taylor Marston gives us a rundown on
the recent Australian Sister Cities Conference.
Please don’t forget to enter your city’s, town’s,organisation’s or school’s international project into ourAwards. Please see the link later in the newsletter for

entries, which close 1st February2024.
We still really value receiving your articles
and snippets from your own international programmes
for this newsletter and our online and social networks,
no matter how small or large they are. So please do sendmaterial into Caroline, our editor for future editions anddistribution.
Finally, with a new Government here in New Zealandand the world order being challenged in several spots
around the globe, our Global Cities movement and theunderstanding that comes with ‘internationalism’ has
never been more important. Thank you all for yoursupport, in what has been a challenging year. I wish you
a wonderful Christmas and exciting New Year.
Ngā mihi nui,
Mayor Grant Smith, JP, GCNZ President

Marlborough taking names for GCNZ conference
Registrations are open for the Global Cities New
Zealand 2024 conference in Marlborough in March, andorganisers are looking forward to a rush of members
registering!
Marlborough sister city committee chairman, Councillor
Jonathan Rosene, says he is looking forward to welcoming
delegates to this year’s GCNZ conference, but they shouldbook soon.
“Marlborough in March is brilliant. The weather isfantastic, and there are lots of things to see and do. The
vineyard harvest is underway, and there are lots of great
events.”
The conference has been timed to show off Marlborough– the Havelock Mussel Festival is the day after the
conference, and Councillor Rosene encouragesdelegates to stay on in the district to enjoy what is one of
Marlborough’s premium events.
“However, it does mean there will be a lot of otherpeople looking to enjoy Marlborough, so GCNZ delegatesshould register for the conference and make their travel
arrangements as soon as possible.”Councillor Rosene

says the Marlborough conference

has a good programme, based around the theme of“Reconnecting to the World”. Delegates will be able toshare their experiences of reconnecting with sistercity partners after the global COVID pandemic, and for
Marlborough, this will have a focus on youth activities
and economic development.
Another key aspect of the conference is two presentations
on the new Liberation Museum at Le Quesnoy, France –Le Quesnoy is the sister city of Cambridge in the Waikato.
This amazing project exemplifies what links can be built
between communities and countries through a goodsister city relationship.
If anyone has not received conference information
or registration forms, or has any queries about theconference or Marlborough, please contact organiser
Cathie Bell at cabell@korimako.nz and Cathie will send
you what you need.
Councillor Rosene says the benefits of being able toget together in-person and share experiences makes
conferences really valuable.
“I am looking forward to seeing GCNZ delegates inBlenheim in November.”> Click here for Conference Registration Form and further information

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

Youth Subcommittee community forum
By Taylor Marston, GCNZ Director
On Saturday 18th November, the GCNZ YouthSubcommittee held a community forum on global
partnerships. The forum, held in Wellington, brought
together representatives from the Wellington City
Council, the Japanese embassy, CLAIR Sydney, andsister city associations in the region, alongside YouthSubcommittee members.
The forum centred around future-proofing global
partnerships and the growing need for increased
communication and collaboration between sister city
practitioners, especially for those at a community level.
The forum also represented the youth subcommittees’
first attempt at organising an event.
We began with a Youth Subcommittee presentation
introducing the Future-proofing series and thedevelopment of GCNZ’s new website. As the name suggests,
the Future-proofing series will be a collection of forums
across the country, organised by the Youth Subcommittee,
on future-proofing global partnerships covering topics
such as resilience and innovation. For the new website,
we introduced the interactive search tool being developedthat will enable users to find any global partnership in
Aotearoa New Zealand with a few clicks. The search tool
will lead to individual partnership pages, providing indepth information on each relationship, including pastand upcoming events and exchanges, contact information,
how to get involved, plus aims and goals.
The presentations were followed by group discussions
on four topics: (1) communication and collaboration,(2) exchanges, events, and projects, (3) innovation, andAttendees at the community forum hosted by GCNZ.

(4) resilience. While many points were raised, the groupfeedback session highlighted a shared sentiment that global
partnerships need to engage and involve educational
institutions more, be adaptable and open-minded,engage in new and innovative ways of communicating
and collaborating both domestically and globally, be
intentional, and perhaps most importantly, be fun.
Guests were also asked to rate the importance of different
issues/topics in global partnerships. Communication andcollaboration, and community engagement were tied forfirst, followed by being relevant and youth engagement.
The youth subcommittee would like to thank all those who
attended. We will be looking to apply for funding to run
three more forums next year in different areas around thecountry.

2024 GCNZ Awards nominations open
By Ray Wallace ONZM, Awards Co-ordinator
I am delighted to announce that the highly
anticipated 2024 Global Cities New ZealandAwards nominations are now open.
These awards celebrate the significanceof people-to-people relationships in
shaping our global community.
Participating in the Global Cities
New Zealand Awards is an exceptional
opportunity for cities and towns to
showcase their dedication to fostering strong
and inclusive communities. It provides a platform torecognize the initiatives that have strengthened Sister
City Relationships through social cohesion, encouraged
cultural exchange, and promoted diversity and inclusion.
These awards celebrate the cities and towns that havesuccessfully bridged divides, promote understanding andcultivate a sense of belonging.
Moreover, the Global Cities New Zealand Awards
promotes the exchange of ideas and experiences,enabling cities and towns to learn from one another's
successes and challenges. By participating, cities andtowns can forge partnerships and build networks thatenhance collaboration on a global scale, fostering
mutual understanding and cooperation among diverse
communities.
Ultimately, the 2024 Global Cities New Zealand Awards
emphasise that cities and towns are more than justbuildings and infrastructure – they are living entities built
on the foundations of human connections. By placing
people-to-people relationships at the forefront, werecognise the pivotal role individuals play in shaping thefuture of their cities and towns and collectively building amore inclusive, empathetic, and prosperous world.
Join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements ofpeople-to-people relationships.
Talk to your group and look at what great projects ormilestones you have achieved in 2022 and 2023, and put
in a nomination for the GCNZ Awards - you could be our2024 winner.

> Click here for the awards information sheet
and entry form.

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

2023 Korean-New Zealand Smart Cooperation ForumBy Michael Healy
Hello, my name is Michael Healy and I am theManager of the Christchurch City Council’s
Smart Christchurch Unit. I was originallyborn in Ireland but moved to Christchurch
in 1988 and while I have been fortunate totravel to many parts of the world, it has been
my home city for most of the years since.
The Smart Christchurch Unit was founded in2016 and effectively acts like the city’s Research& Development function, trialling technologies andapproaches that enhance and stimulate innovation
for improved community outcomes. I joined Smart
Christchurch four and a half years ago and find the smart
cities space an exciting and dynamic one to work in.
In October this year, I was honoured to be invited, by an
introduction from Global Cities New Zealand, to partake inthe 2023 Korean-New Zealand Smart Cooperation Forum
hosted in Wellington. The forum was designed to bringa range of innovators from New Zealand and Korea witha diverse range of government, business, and academic
expertise. I learnt about Korea’s plan to transform theireconomy into one powered by green energy, collaborationand innovation. I also learned about the ways that New
Zealand and Korea could co-operate on a wide range oftransformative and world leading technologies.
Later in the day, I was part of a panel that included smart
cities experts from Busan, Seoul and Wellington talking
about key initiatives from our respective regions. As well
as being able to share some of the exciting projects weare working on in Christchurch with an influential anddiverse international audience, I found it fascinating tohear what was happening in the three other cities on thepanel, especially the world first floating city that is being
established off the coast of Busan.
I came away from the Korean-New Zealand Smart
Cooperation Forum inspired by my experience, and excitedabout how New Zealand and Korea will work together inthe years to come.

Sports the focus for Zhejiang delegation visit
By Melanie Crawford, Senior International Relations Advisor, Wellington City Council
Five Wellington regional cities hosted a businessroundtable event in collaboration with the Zhejiang
Government and Global Cities New Zealand.
In November, Executive Vice Governor of Zhejiang
Province, Mr Xu Wenguang led a 19-member delegation to
Wellington. The delegation was made up of representatives
from tourism and travel, investment and trade, educationand tech.

Zhejiang has been described as the ‘back bone of China’ as
it is seen as a major driving force in the Chinese economy.
It is home to some of the largest e-commerce and gaming
companies in China. Direct flights between Zhejiang and
New Zealand commenced in November 2023.

During the roundtable, participants learned more about theopportunities for collaboration between the two regions,
including a presentation by David Dome, Wellington
Phoenix General Manager who highlighted the club’s new
football academy and the opportunities for international
collaboration.
In 2012, Wellington along with Porirua, Lower Hutt,
Upper Hutt and Kāpiti established a strategic economic
partnership with Zhejiang Province. The partnership
focuses on increasing opportunities for trade, tourism
and education, and cooperation on a number of initiatives
has included business forums, gaming and animation
opportunities, delivery of tertiary courses, and sports andeducation exchanges.
While in Wellington, Mr Xu also met with Wellington
Mayor Tory Whanau where they discussed opportunities
for cooperation in the arts/museum space, as well as
education exchanges with Te Herenga Waka–Victoria
University of Wellington and Toi Whakaari–New Zealand
Drama School.

David Dome (GM, Wellington Phoenix), Ambassador Wang
Xiaolong, Mayor Grant Smith, Zhejiang Executive Vice Governor
Xu Wenguang, Mayor Wayne Guppy, Mayor Campbell Barry andAvan Lee (CEO, Hurricanes) at Wellington Zhejiang Business
Roundtable at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport
Zhejiang Executive
Vice Governor Xu
Wenguang meetsMayor Tory Whanau
Photo: Tom Yuan,
WCC

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

Sister Cities reunited
By Alana MacKay, Cambridge Community Board
A delegation from Cambridge’s Japanese Sister City,
Bihoro, enjoyed an action-packed visit to the Waikato
town at the end of November, the first time since 2017
the two have connected in person.
The group of eight, including the Mayor of Bihoro,
Koji Hirano and Chairman of the Bihoro Town Council,
Yoshinori Tozawa, were all home hosted by Councillors
and members of the Bihoro Sister City Committee. The
visit was coordinated by the Cambridge Community
Board, who have the responsibility of managing our twosister city relationships (the other being Le Quesnoy,
France).
Arriving on Tuesday, the delegates were welcomed at
Cambridge’s Japanese Garden with a performance by
the Cambridge Primary School kapa haka group, before
a walking tour of the town taking in the historical sites
and admiring the entries in the Welcome Sister Cities
Shop Window Display Competition. The guests were
impressed with the effort and creativity that went into
the displays, Mayor Hirano commented that “you makeus feel very special and happy”. The Green Geranium andVictoria Station were announced as joint winners. The
Green Geranium’s display had a strong Japanese focus,
while Victoria Station paid tribute to both Sister Cities
and had handmade replicas of the Japanese Garden, Le
Quesnoy sculpture, Cambridge Town Hall and Cenotaph.
Involving the greater community was very important to
the Cambridge Community Board, “I aimed to get ourpeople educated about our Sister Cities, excited about theupcoming visits, and involved in the associated activities”
says Alana MacKay, Chair of both of Cambridge’s Sister
City Committees. The shop window display was one

aspect of this, as were a Sister City themed colouring
competition, local school involvement, and events open
to the public.
The whirlwind tour saw the delegation take in a tour ofCouncillor Mike Montgomerie’s dairy farm, ecologicalisland Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, an Alpaca
Experience, the Perry Aquatic Centre Puna Kaukauo Te
Oko Horoi, Cambridge High School, the Fonterra Hautapu
Dairy Factory, Cambridge Stud and Heritage Centre,
Camjet, dinner with Waipa District Mayor Susan O’Regan
and invited guests, a tour of the Council Chambers, andMonavale Organic Blueberry Farm.
Mayor Susan O’Regan said in her address to guests atthe dinner that “Sister city relationships can be complex.
They’re a bit like a marriage in that they require ongoing
nurturing and constant attention… The relationshipbetween Cambridge and Bihoro is a good example ofwhat a sister city relationship should be. Our relationshipis not about plaques on the wall, or occasional official
visits, where the Mayoral chains are dusted off and gifts
exchanged. Our relationship is about people, and it will
always be about people. Our strong links are something
we have actively cared about for more than a quarter of acentury, with no sign of enthusiasm waning.”
Hiromi Morris, Emeritus President of Global Cities New
Zealand, joined the delegation for the dinner and theirlast few activities in Cambridge. She commented that she
was greatly heartened by the “kiwi hospitality shown to
the guests and the personal relationships that were being
created and nurtured”.
Mayor Koji Hirano has extended an invitation for a groupfrom Cambridge to visit Bihoro next year.

Waipa Mayor receives a gift from Bihoro, left to right: Koji
Hirano (Mayor of Bihoro), Susan O’Regan (Mayor of Waipa),
Yoshinori Tozawa (Chairman of Bihoro Town Council).

Yoshinori Tozawa, Hiroki Sakuma, Koji Hirano, and Philip Coles
enjoy a spin and ecological tour of the Waikato river.
Photo: Philip Coles.

Farewell breakfast at Café Irresitiblue, Monavale Blueberry Farm.
Photo: Philip Coles.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari group photo.
Photo: Alana MacKay.

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

Cambridge delegation visits Le Quesnoy
By Jo Davies-Colley, Chairperson, Cambridge Community Board
Cambridge, in the Waipa District, is fortunate to have
two sister cities, both with strong connections to ourtown. Le Quesnoy, France, and Bihoro, Japan, havebeen our sister cities since 2000 and 1997 respectively.
Le Quesnoy and New Zealand have a strong militaryconnection that dates back to World War 1. The walled
town was occupied by the German army and under theircontrol. Several battalions of the 3rd New Zealand Rifle
Brigade were given the task of liberating the town andfreeing the local inhabitants.
While the walls could have been easily felled by heavy
artillery, the New Zealand soldiers decided instead toscale the steep ramparts to avoid injury to the townsfolk.
With a bit of kiwi ingenuity, and an impressive measureof stealth, a ladder placed on a small ledge high above asluice gate provided an entry point and one-by-one thesoldiers snuck into the town. After a short battle, the
New Zealanders advanced as the Germans surrended.
Not one local civilian life was lost, although sadly, 140 of
our soldiers died saving the town.
To this day, the sacrifice and bravery of the New Zealandsoldiers has not been forgotten in Le Quesnoy.
In October of this year, I was fortunate to attend theopening of the New Zealand Liberation Museum - Te
Arawhata (meaning “the ladder”) in Le Quesnoy as partof a mayoral delegation. The museum is a small yet
poignant memorial to the battle for Le Quesnoy anda tribute to the bravery and skill of the New Zealandsoldiers who liberated it. It is an immersive, storytelling
experience that encompasses both cinematic andsensory elements. A large perspex ladder climbs its
way through the three different floors of the museum,countless photographs and personal accounts are foundthroughout, and, possibly the most emotive, a largerthan-life hyper realistic solider greets the visitor fromthe outset.

The opening program also included a battlefield tour
which was an eye-opening experience for all those in thegroup. As we looked over the vast flatness of the land, thefull extent of what combat would have been like, all those
years ago, became apparent.
While the museum opening itself was the most wonderfulexperience and I learnt a lot about the liberation of Le
Quesnoy, the other special part of the trip was the sistercity connection.
Just as Cambridge acknowledges our French city sister
throughout our town, the small village of Le Quesnoy
recognises New Zealand in a number of street names
and special touches. Monuments to fallen kiwi soldiers,
plaques and memorial gardens greeted us and it truly
felt like a home away from home. The townsfolk wereincredibly welcoming and hospitable, everyone fromshop keepers, to the local police and council officials. The
whole trip made me appreciate the close connection that
our two towns share and deepened my understanding of
the importance of sister cities as a whole. The experiencetaught me that sister cities are a valuable part of ourtown’s identity, and that these relationships need to be
nurtured and prioritised into the future.

Jo Davies-Colley with New Zealand gifts to the Weta Workshop creation of a New
town of Le Quesnoy.
Zealand solider post liberation of thetown of Le Quesnoy.

New Zealand Liberation Museum- Te Arawhata

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

Wellington Mayoral visit to Asia
opens doors of opportunity.
By Melanie Crawford, Senior International Relations
Advisor, Wellington City Council
A key function for a Mayor of a major city is to promote
the city overseas as a great place for people to live, study,
visit and do business.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau did just that when leading
a 26-member delegation to Xiamen, Tianjin, Beijing (China),
Sakai (Japan) and Seoul (South Korea) in September 2023.
It was the first official visit by Wellington City Council sinceborders re-opened after the pandemic. It highlighted how
important kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) meetings are inmaintaining and deepening Sister City relationships.
Mayor Whanau said the purpose of the visit was to sign asister city agreement with Seoul and support Wellington
business and education sectors with opportunities in Asia.
“It provided an amazing opportunity to promote Wellington’s
thriving arts and cultural scene, pristine landscapes andwildlife, and our international reputation as a film, screen
and creative hotspot of excellence.
Joining Mayor Whanau were representatives from Massey
University, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of
Wellington, Samuel Marsden Collegiate, Wellington Phoenix
Football Club, Screen Wellington, Floating Rock Studio, film
producers, E2E (Education to Employment) Centre, and Te
Āti Awa.

cities and environmental
sustainability.
“Signing
thesistercities agreement wasa highlight of my 10days in Asia. Seoul is abustling city of 10 million
people and presents anamazing opportunity for
Wellington businesses
and people.
“Wellington is doing a lot Mayor Whanau and delegates onof good work to ensure Wellington Road in Xiamen, China
we are a sustainable citythat is resilient to natural disasters and climate change,
and the agreement with Seoul gives us the chance to work
together on our shared interests of urban development,
resilience, and sustainability.
I expect the Sister City agreement will open doors andboost our economic partnerships and cultural exchanges
with Seoul.”

Education played a major role in the trip, with visits toschools and universities, and a pitch session to JJL, theleading education agent in China, which was live-streamed
to hundreds of agents around the country.  
Massey University signed a new letter of intent with Xiamen
University, which will make it easier for Chinese film
students to complete their studies in Wellington at Massey’s
new National Academy of Screen Arts.  
Mayor Whanau completed her trip to Asia with the signingof a new Sister City agreement with Seoul – one of Asia’s
fastest growing and most innovative cities.
This agreement formally outlines cooperation between
the two cities with a focus on areas such as international
education, trade, and sharing knowledge on building smart

New sister city! Mayor of Wellington Tory Whanau and Mayorof Seoul Oh Se-hoon signing the new sister city agreement
between the two cities

Associate Professor Oli Wilson from Massey University in
Xiamen, China

Mayor Whanau and delegates with students from Daisen
Elementary School in Sakai, Japan

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

Gisborne student recognised for environmental action
By Jan Calder, Gisborne District Sister Cities committee
Mayor Rehette Stoltz and the Gisborne District Sister
Cities committee (GDSC) are proud to introduce 10-yearold student Harry Newman from Motu School.
Where is Motu? Turn off SH2 at Matawai for the historicMotu Village and Motu School (est. 1896) with students fromYears 1 - 8, situated within the Raukūmara Conservation
Park.
The village is the gateway to some very well utilised outdoor
adventures, and has rural and progressive back-country
agriculture.
Harry, his family and school friends can boast of having
many options and experiences on their doorstep, including
the Motu Old Coach Road to Opotiki, the Motu Cycle Trail,
the Whinray Scenic Reserve’s (never milled) native bushwalk and Motu Falls. The Motu river is home to the famous
strain of wild brown trout, the eel of which Motu school doa yearly study and count, the area home of the Hochstetter
frog, the Weka, and the Whinray Ecological (Kiwi) Reserve.
An enterprising youth of many talents and with anabundance of enthusiasm for life, Harry has this November
been made a Junior Ambassador in the annual Fred Hollows
NZ Humanity Award. Harry has been recognised for his
passion and environmental action in restoring a bushreserve near his school.
His challenge and achievement, the ‘Motu Scenic Reserve’is a 20 hectare kahikatea wetland forest situated near theschool – it is unique as it contains an oxbow wetland and an

original kahikatea swamp forest, one of only 2% left in NZ.
Harry rallied the troops, canvassed retail outlets, utilised
tools and equipment from nearby farmers, and within
the capabilities of a mature 10-year-old country lad set
about clearing the overgrowth to bring back and makenew pathways, all the while backing himself with a plan tonurture the preservation of the reserve.
All Harry’s endeavors, inspired by Conservation Week,
did not go unnoticed and Motu school principal Hannah
Moorhouse nominated Harry for the Fred Hollows Humanity
Awards. The award recognises ‘young New Zealanders who
strive to make the world around them better for others andembody the values of compassion, integrity, and kindness.’
Harry has, through the Charity partner Specsavers, donated
his $5,000 prize to a Pacific program run by the Foundation– the foundation Mobile Eye Clinic.
Gisborne District Sister Cities, in partnership with their
Sister City, Gamagori (Japan) has for 20 odd years run ayearly photographic competition – Harry along with hisfamily and Motu School, are staunch supporters of thiscompetition and in 2019 Harry placed Highly Commended
and in 2021 won First Place. Over the years, he and families
connected with the Motu school, have submitted somegreat photos depicting country life.
We are immensely proud to acknowledge Harry andwish him the very best and much success in all his futureendeavors.

Gisborne District Sister Cities update

Valverde del Majano Mayor & D. Mayor
receive Taiaha gift from James Barnes
on behalf of Australiasan Jose ManuelFamilia Hikoi - August 2023

GDSC Committee: Jan, Raewynne, Ann,
Chairperson Jim, V.P Judy

Futures Discussion meeting at GDC
Chambers - Mark, Chair Jim, Secretary
Jan, Committee Member Ann, V.P Judy,
Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

Dunedin signs agreements with Shanghai
By James Hall, Enterprise Dunedin
Mayor of Dunedin Jules Radich has welcomed thesigning of several agreements between Dunedin andShanghai institutions during a civic delegation to theChinese sister city.
In November Mr Radich led the delegation withrepresentatives from The University of Otago, Te
Pūkenga, Business South and two Council staff members.
Mr Radich attended the Shanghai International Friendship
Cities Cooperation Forum where he made a formal
presentation on Smart Cities to a prestigious audience ofleaders from Shanghai’s other global sister cities.
Part of the visit to Shanghai comprised the signing ofagreements between Dunedin and Shanghai institutionsin the areas of film, research, and business.

University Dental School. As a part of the Shanghai
Dunedin science and technology agreement the cities’
institutions will be collaborating on several major pieces
of research including on Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s
Disease, brain research and kidney research.
The civic delegation also visited the offices of local highvalue knowledge-based export companies, including
ADInstruments and Silver Fern Farms.
During the visit the leaders of both cities discussed
preparations to celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversaryof the Dunedin-Shanghai Sister City relationship nextyear.

Mr Radich witnessed the signing of a new agreement
between Enterprise Dunedin and the Shanghai Art Film
Federation (SAFF) which was expected to further boost
burgeoning film links between the two cities.
“Our creative sector is a key part of our city, and this new
agreement will boost international exchanges and film
screenings, and hopefully lead to more co-productions
involving both cities. It’s a great outcome,” he said.
Business South Chief Executive Mike Collins also signed
an MoU with the Shanghai Council for the Promotion ofInternational Trade.
We are building a strong partnership with a significant
international market and business community inShanghai, Mr Collins said.
“This partnership is about shared growth, innovation,
and a future where our businesses thrive together, byexpanding markets, sharing expertise and working on
collaborative ventures.”Research was also a significant part of this visit to China,
shown by the support and attendance of representatives
from the University of Otago. An MoU was signed between
the University of Otago School of Dentistry and Jiaotong

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich and Mr Jin Hui, Director Generalof Shanghai Art Film Federation.

GCNZ Newsletter / December 2023

Sister Cities Australia Annual Conference 2023
By Taylor Marston, GCNZ Director
On 12th October, I had the pleasure of attending Sister
Cities Australia’s 2023 Conference hosted by Wyndham
City to speak on youth engagement in sister city
relationships.
The conference was attended by various community
members, council representatives, delegates, academics,
and politicians, past and present. While being the first
conference held by Sister Cities Australia since COVID-19,
the passion and commitment around the room wasnonetheless tenacious. It was clear the difficulties of
COVID-19 has only stood to galvanise the efforts of ourclose neighbours across the ditch. This was also verymuch reflected in the conference theme, ‘Linking theWorld Together’, the significance of which reverberates
here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In a timely speech, the Hon. John Brumby AO, Chancellorof La Trobe University and Former Premier of Victoria,
addressed the growing talk of “deglobalisation”,“onshoring”, and “de-coupling” around the world andechoed the International Monetary Fund’s concern that“after several decades of increasing global economic
integration, the world is facing the risk of policy-driven
geo-economic fragmentation”. While global conflict may
not be as severe as it was during the introduction of thesister cities movement in the 1950s, several speakers
shared the sentiment that risks to global peace, including
climate change and resource scarcity, are ever preset.
Upon this discouraging backdrop, another speaker,
Hannaa Pappalardo, Consul General of Italy, spoke to theimportance of cities in international relations:
Cities have evolved into fully fledged actors of international
relations. Cities are the level of governance closest to
the people. They play a crucial role in shaping national
agendas and in addressing global challenges. They engage
and represent their interests on the international stage.
At times where a different action is required to address
the many challenges posed by the new multipolar ‘world
disorder’, Cities are indispensable platforms for leadershipdevelopment, beneficial to the whole world.
Australian cities, and arguably also towns and districts,
appear to share the same predicaments faced here in

Taylor Marston speaks at the 2023 SCA Conference.

Aotearoa New Zealand - how do we leave our mark on
global affairs while nestled in the corner of the world, andwhat should this mark be? One thing, however, remains
certain, as the Hon. John Brumby AO expressed, “This is avery positive phenomenon in a world in which people stillneed to ‘learn a little bit more of each other’”. I hope that
Australian and New Zealand cities, towns, and districts
can continue to work together, perhaps more than they
currently do, to tackle these questions.
I want to thank Sister Cities Australia for inviting me towhat was a fantastic conference and for their hospitality
during my stay. We look forward to welcoming them toour conference next year in Marlborough.

2023 – 2024 GCNZ Board and Advisors
President: Mayor Grant Smith (Palmerston North)Emeritus President: Hiromi Morris (Wellington)

Vice-President: Laurie Foon (Wellington)

National Administrator: Sally Ho (Palmerston North)

Director: John Christie (Dunedin)

Advisor: Luke Qin JP (Auckland)

Director: Beth Knowles (Christchurch)

Youth Advisor: Elisha Hsiao (Porirua)

Director: Taylor Marston (Auckland)

Newsletter Editor: Caroline Pope (Tākaka)

PO Box 965, Palmerston North 4440, New Zealand
Sally Ho - National Administrator 022 528 2364
admin@globalcities.org.nz | globalcities.org.nz