The deputy mayor of Miyazu travelled over 9,000km to re-sign the city’s sister city agreement with Nelson at the council chambers this morning.
Marking it’s 40 year milestone, the relationship between Nelson and Miyazu is one of the longest-standing sister city agreements in New Zealand, and Nelson mayor Rachel Reese says it is a very special relationship.
“The relationship between our two cities is critically important and I think it is something that we need to focus on as global citizens.
“If I think about our next generations, to live in the world you need to have connections across peoples, across cultures and across countries and through those relationships we build a world peace understanding.”
The six strong delegation from Miyazu, included deputy mayor Kiyokazu Ueda, Mr Minoru Adachi, president of the Miyazu New Zealand Association, and members of the Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association.
“It’s a real honour and for the deputy mayor and the rest of the contingent to have travelled here is a symbol of the value they place on this relationship,” says Rachel.
The ceremony included a speech from both Rachel Reece and deputy mayor Kiyokazu Ueda, an exchange of several beautiful gifts and the sharing of food.