On Saturday, 26 September, the Executive Director of CLAIR Sydney attended a commemorative event held in Nelson, New Zealand, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Nelson City and Miyazu City in Kyoto Prefecture. The Director attended at the invitation of the Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association and Nelson City Council.
The relationship between the two cities began in 1974, when a Japanese parliamentary goodwill delegation led by Mr Shigesaburo Maeo, then Speaker of the House of Representatives and a native of Miyazu, made an official visit to New Zealand. During the visit, the delegation travelled to Nelson, the hometown of Sir Stanley Whitehead, then Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament. The two cities share geographical similarities, with Nelson’s sandspit resembling Miyazu’s Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s three most scenic views. In addition to this geographical similarity, they also share similar climates, natural environments and industries. With the support and mediation of the parliamentary speakers of both countries, a sister city agreement was formally concluded in 1976.
On the day of the event, a Cherry Blossom Festival was held at the Miyazu Japanese Garden in Nelson, attended by sister city representatives from both cities, including the Miyazu delegation led by Mayor Masafumi Kizaki and City Council Chair Tomiyoshi Matsuura. At the opening ceremony, His Excellency Makoto Osawa, Ambassador of Japan to New Zealand, presented a certificate of commendation to the Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association in recognition of its longstanding contributions to exchanges between the two cities.
The festival featured taiko drumming and choral performances of Japanese songs by Nelson residents, creating a warm and festive atmosphere throughout the day. As New Zealand enters spring while Japan moves into autumn, the cherry blossoms had just begun to bloom at the time of the event, adding a beautiful touch of colour to this significant 50-year milestone. The festival was made possible through the dedicated efforts of many people, including Ms Linley Smith, Chair of the Nelson-Miyazu Sister City Association. It was a heartwarming and memorable event that reflected the passion and commitment of those who have supported the relationship between the two cities over many years.
In the evening, Nelson City Council hosted a commemorative dinner. Attendees from both cities reflected on the achievements and enduring friendship built through exchanges over the past half century, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their relationship in the years ahead. Among the Miyazu delegation was an English teacher who had previously stayed with Nelson’s current Mayor, Nick Smith, as part of a sister city exchange program. This example highlighted how people-to-people exchanges, particularly those involving younger generations, can both equip participants to carry international exchange forward and have a profound impact on their lives. These connections form an important foundation for the ongoing relationship between the two cities.
At a time of growing global uncertainty, this event was a valuable reminder of the importance of people-to-people connections, which lie at the heart of sister city relationships and other exchanges between local governments. We would like to express our sincere respect and gratitude to all those who have contributed to the friendship between Nelson and Miyazu over the years. We hope that this relationship will continue to flourish, be passed on to future generations and grow even stronger in the future.
Many visitors stopped by our booth to ask for recommendations for their next trip to Japan. Some also shared what they love about Japan’s beaches and how they differ from those on the Gold Coast. It was wonderful to meet so many people whose travels had deepened their appreciation for Japan’s nature, food and traditional culture.
