Bihoro mayor Koji Hirano thanks the Cambridge Primary School kapa haka group for the welcome in the Japanese Garden at the Library. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
A delegation from Cambridge’s Japanese Sister City, Bihoro, was given a full welcome and tour last week,
The group of eight, including the Mayor of Bihoro, Koji Hirano, and Chairman of the Bihoro Town Council, Yoshinori Tozawa, were 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 sister city relationships with Bihoro and Le Quesnoy in France.
The delegates were initially welcomed at Cambridge’s Japanese Garden on Tuesday with a performance by the Cambridge Primary School kapa haka group, before a walking tour of the town taking in the historical sites.
Cambridge retailers took part in a Welcome Sister Cities Shop Window Display Competition, which was won by The Green Geranium and Victoria Station.
Bihoro mayor Koji Hirano thanks the Cambridge Primary School kapa haka group for the welcome in the Japanese Garden at the Library. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
“You make us feel very special and happy,” Mayor Hirano said.
A further two and a half day were spent touring district councillor Mike Montgomerie’s dairy farm, Sanctuary Mountain, an Alpaca Experience, the Perry Aquatic Centre, Cambridge High School, Fonterra’s Hautapu Dairy Factory, Cambridge Stud and Heritage Centre, Camjet, the Waipā District Council Chambers and Monavale Organic Blueberry Farm.
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- Cambridge PS kapa haka group at the Bihoro sister city visit to Cambridge
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- Cambridge PS kapa haka group at the Bihoro sister city visit to Cambridge
Mayor Susan O’Regan told the guests at a dinner that sister city relationships could be complex.
“They’re a bit like a marriage in that they require ongoing nurturing and constant attention… the relationship between Cambridge and Bihoro is a good example of what a sister city relationship should be.
“Our relationship is 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 a century, with no sign of enthusiasm waning.”
Mayor Koji Hirano has invited a group from Cambridge to visit Bihoro next year.
Cambridge Primary School students welcome the Bihoro delegation at the Cambridge Library. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
