On Air: Fukuoka City Information/2016.04.09(Sat)/09:00～

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city partnership between Fukuoka and Auckland, New Zealand.

Auckland is the premier port and commercial city in New Zealand, with a population of about 1,520,000 people. The Hakata Port and the Auckland Port are sister ports as well. Both places have many commonalities. They are highly appraised around the world for safe, easy-to-live-in, pleasant environments. In addition, many of the elementary, junior, and senior high schools of Fukuoka city participate in the sister city youth exchange programs with schools in Auckland.

In memorial of the 30th anniversary of the sister city partnership, a variety of events will be held in both Fukuoka city and Auckland city throughout the year. The Embassy of New Zealand, the Fukuoka-New Zealand Friendship Association, and other related groups, will celebrate together through cultural, sporting, and business and economically-based events. The festivities started off with a memorial ceremony, held in Fukuoka city on April 1st.

New Zealand is famous for many things. To begin, it’s famous for being the “King of Rugby”. In the Rugby World Cup 2015, the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team became the first team in history to win 3 cups. The next World Cup event, to take place in 2019, will be held in Japan, and Fukuoka is to be one of the cities holding events. In hopes to spread knowledge of the game throughout Fukuoka, the city is holding rugby classes and other exchange events.

New Zealand is also famous for having plenty of delicious meat, fish, fruit and other food. The Department of Commerce of the Embassy of New Zealand is putting on the New Zealand Fair entitled “Taste of New Zealand” together with hotels and supermarkets of Fukuoka city, from April through June, so that the people of Fukuoka can enjoy the foods of New Zealand.

There will also be an increase in exchanges between our two cities, facilitated by the cities’ high school students through the new homestay program offering both English language training and rugby training, launched earlier this year. Then, this autumn, there will also be a “New Zealand Study Abroad Fair” for junior and senior high school students, as well as for university students, put on within the city.

Lastly, please be aware that in the citizen’s lobby on the first floor of city hall, there is currently a sister city 30th anniversary display on exhibit until the 22nd of this month. Be sure to stop by and take a look!