Sister Cities - Overview

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Wellington has three sister city relationships:

  • Beijing, People's Republic of China
  • Sakai, Japan
  • Xiamen, People's Republic of China

A sister city relationship is a formal, long-term relationship based on diverse linkages between the two cities - including cultural, educational and business links. The relationship requires a high degree of commitment on both sides, as well as the active involvement of a community committee.

Beijing, China

Beijing.
Beijing

In 1994 Deng Lin, the daughter of Chinese President Deng Xiaoping, visited Wellington and 'fell in love with the city'. The Assistant to the Mayor of Beijing, Mr Zheng Yijun visited Wellington in November 1994. The visit was followed by a reciprocal visit to Beijing by David Watt, Wellington's deputy mayor at the time. A 'friendly city' relationship was set up in 1994.

Based on increased interaction between Wellington and Beijing, the cities agreed to become sister cities. During the Sister Cities New Zealand 25th Anniversary Conference in May 2006, this relationship was formalised. Kerry Prendergast, then Mayor of Wellington, and the Deputy Mayor of Beijing, Mr Sun Anmin, signed an official Wellington-Beijing Sister Cities agreement on 10 May 2006.

The Beijing relationship is important as it links Wellington to the capital city of one of the world's giant economies. Beijing is the political, economic, social and cultural centre of mainland China.

Chinese New Year fireworks.
Chinese New Year fireworks

There has been a very active link between the two cities, including:

  • visits by civic and business delegations
  • mayoral visits
  • teacher training exchanges
  • cultural festivals
  • exchanges dealing with earthquake technology
  • local government training in Wellington for officials from Beijing.

In February 2005, Wellingtonians were treated to a fireworks display to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The display was a gift from Beijing.

It was the longest fireworks display Wellington city has ever seen.

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Sakai, Japan

A koto player from Sakai.
A koto player from Sakai

The idea of the Sakai-Wellington sister city relationship was originally promoted by the Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand, Takeo Iguchi. In 1993, Fran Wilde, then Mayor of Wellington, visited Sakai and signed an agreement to set up a sister city relationship. On 4 February 1994 in Wellington the Mayor of Sakai, Hideo Hataya, and Mayor Wilde formally signed the sister city agreement.

The Wellington Sakai Association was set up in 1995. The mission of the association is to support the Council in the development of the sister city relationship with Sakai. There is also a Sakai Wellington Association in Japan.

Wellington and Sakai have a wide variety of exchanges, including educational exchanges, an annual marathon event and exhibitions of art, pottery and ikebana.

Japan Festival

Clown Loto at the Japan Festival.
Clown Loto at the Japan Festival

In July 2009, the Council, the Asia New Zealand Foundation and the Embassy of Japan held the first Japan Festival of Wellington.

The festival was held to coincide with the 15th anniversary of sister city relations between Wellington and Sakai. It featured a diverse range of traditional and modern Japanese culture and was enjoyed by thousands of Wellingtonians.

The festival was also supported by the Sakai City and the Wellington Sakai Association.

Xiamen, China

Xiamen.
Xiamen

In the early 1980s, the Council asked the Chinese Embassy about setting up friendly city links with a city in China, after a trip by then Prime Minister David Lange. The Chinese authorities suggested that Xiamen was a good partner because there are similarities between the two cities. Xiamen had recently become one of the first four Special Economic Zone in China.

On 23 June 1987, Mr Zou Erjun, Mayor of Xiamen, visited Wellington and signed the Sister-City Relationship Agreement with Wellington Mayor Jim Belich.

In 1998, the Wellington Xiamen Association was set up to support and encourage the relationship. The association has been instrumental in developing a healthy and interactive relationship between the two cities.

Former Mayor Kerry Prendergast at the opening of Wellington Corner, Xiamen City Library.

Former Mayor Kerry Prendergast at the opening of Wellington Corner, Xiamen City Library

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In August 2008, Mayor of Wellington Kerry Prendergast attended the opening ceremony of Wellington Corner at Xiamen City Library. Wellington donated to the library a batch of books on Wellington history, literature, and the Council, as well as promotional materials such as stand-up banners and posters.

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Department Details:
International Relations (Executive Strategy)

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