![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/59767c776089f99a871de14ba757f66d-300x169.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Commemorative Events for the 45th Anniversary of the Sister City Relationship between Tomakomai City and Napier City<\/strong><\/p>\n On 20 November 2025, a cultural welcome ceremony and gala dinner party were held to mark the 45th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, Japan, and Napier City, New Zealand.<\/p>\n The official visit program is conducted every five years; however, the 40th-anniversary program was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, this visit marked the first occasion in ten years that a delegation from Tomakomai travelled to Napier.<\/p>\n The primary objectives of this visit were to promote cultural exchange between the M\u0101ori people of New Zealand and the Ainu people of Hokkaido, as well as encourage economic exchange amongst business stakeholders, with the aim of rebuilding connections that have weakened over time.<\/p>\n Cultural Welcome Ceremony<\/strong><\/p>\n At 9:00 a.m. on 20 November, the Tomakomai delegation participated in a p\u014dwhiri, a traditional M\u0101ori welcoming ceremony, at Waiohiki Marae.<\/p>\n Upon arrival at the venue, the delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Napier, Richard McGrath, who exchanged greetings and handshakes with Mayor Kanazawa of Tomakomai and other members of the delegation. During the ceremony, M\u0101ori representatives from the marae and local children, performed a haka, followed by formal speeches known as whaik\u014drero, delivered in te reo M\u0101ori.<\/p>\n At the conclusion of the ceremony, participants exchanged hongi, a traditional greeting involving the gentle touching of noses, along with hugs, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that reflected mutual respect and openness.<\/p>\n Following the ceremony, an introduction to M\u0101ori culture and history was provided by representatives of Napier, offering the Tomakomai delegation a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of local cultural traditions.<\/p>\n Gala Dinner Party<\/strong><\/p>\n The commemorative ceremony was attended by the Tomakomai delegation, consisting mainly of local government representatives, Ainu-related organisations, and business leaders, alongside members of the Napier City Council. Representatives from Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd (a joint venture between Oji Paper and a local timber company in Napier, which marked the beginning of this exchange), Oji Holdings Corporation, the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand and the CLAIR Sydney office were also in attendance.<\/p>\n The program included speeches by representatives from both cities, an exchange of commemorative gifts, and cultural performances by members of the Ainu community, making the event both meaningful and diverse in content.<\/p>\n During the gift exchange, Napier City presented Tomakomai City with a wall hanging made from native New Zealand plants, while Tomakomai City presented Napier City with a tapestry featuring traditional Ainu motifs.<\/p>\n In his address, the Mayor of Tomakomai expressed a strong desire to further develop exchanges between the two cities in preparation for the 50th anniversary in five years\u2019 time. He also conveyed expectations were expressed for expanded cooperation across a range of fields, including cultural, economic, and educational exchanges.<\/p>\n At the conclusion of the ceremony, all participants from Japan performed the song Ue o Muite Aruk\u014d (internationally known as Sukiyaki). The performance fostered a strong sense of unity and mutual respect, leaving the venue filled with an atmosphere of cultural appreciation and shared goodwill.<\/p>\n Tomakomai City and Napier City plan to continue regular communication in order to further strengthen their relationship. In addition to online interactions, the resumption of youth-focused exchanges, such as student exchange programs, is currently under consideration. The continued development of exchange between the two cities is highly anticipated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Commemorative Events for the 45th Anniversary of the Sister City Relationship between…<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0431a472c9e0a58bf9c9f1ebe983e60d-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/971b00cfc7aad70d8f3b3b8d4c1b895e-300x200.jpg\")
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jlgc.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32544482e8d0de2d1ab8e977094e36b6-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n