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2 · Sister cities and civic exchanges
Sister-city relationships people can actually see.
Plenty of councils have a sister city on paper. We help you keep yours active, honest and useful: relationship management, MOUs and agreements, civic visits and protocol, and delegations both ways.
Your first conversation is free and confidential.
What we look after
One named contact who knows both sides and stays in regular touch with your partner city, in New Zealand and in China.
A
Risk management
We check who you’re dealing with before anything is signed or promised. We explain what an MOU or agreement actually commits you to, in plain English, and make sure every language version says the same thing before anyone signs.
B
Tangible outcomes
A simple yearly plan with your partner city and a short summary for council, so elected members and ratepayers can see what the relationship delivers. If it has gone quiet, we help you decide whether to revive it, reshape it or wind it down respectfully.
C
Economic development
Using the relationship to open doors for local businesses, schools and tourism operators, with introductions that are checked first and followed up properly.
D
Cultural awareness and etiquette
Titles, gifts, seating, speeches and photos. Civic visits and protocol handled with care on both sides, so a visit goes well and nothing goes wrong in public.
E
Community connection
Bringing schools, iwi, community groups and young people into the relationship, so it belongs to your community and not only to council. When a relationship changes, we help you explain why to your community.
Delegations, both ways
Whether your mayor is heading to China or a partner city is coming to you, we look after the details so your team can focus on the people.
- Letters of invitation and replies, in both languages
- An itinerary, meetings and visits that match what council wants to achieve
- Protocol briefings for your mayor, councillors and staff
- Interpreting, and someone from our team with you on the day
- Hosting in New Zealand with council, schools, iwi and local businesses
- Follow-up afterwards, so the visit leads somewhere
Visits to China
Who you’ll be dealing with
Eastern Bridge looks after the New Zealand side. Arrangements and contracting in China go through Beijing New Bridge. Eastern Bridge holds a 30% share in Beijing New Bridge, a separate company in China. It is never paid by, or engaged for, an overseas party we are checking for a council, and we’ll always tell you when it’s involved.
Hosting or sending a delegation: costs and lead times
Hosting a five-day delegation visiting New Zealand is $2,800 + GST, with Simon or one of our interpreters attending, plus travel costs. Support for a council delegation going to China is quoted up front at our community rate of $55 + GST an hour, plus travel costs. The first 30 minutes are free, and you agree the price in writing before we start. What’s included
The prices on this page are our standard market rates. Councils that have a contract or monthly retainer with us get lower special rates – ask us.
| Delegation | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Visiting New Zealand (inbound) | 2 weeks. Allow 6 weeks or more if invitation letters and visas are needed |
| Going to China (outbound) | 2 weeks. Allow about a month if an invitation letter is needed |
Before any visit, we check who is coming and brief your mayor, councillors and staff on protocol, gifts and the official NZSIS guidance, so the visit is easy to explain to your community.
How it works
We don’t try to do everything ourselves. We look after the relationship, and we bring in the right people.
01
The filter
We check every approach before you commit, flag the risks early and keep council safe, so your time goes into the opportunities that are real.
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02
The connector
We find the right partner in New Zealand or China, make the introduction properly, and stay involved after the first meeting.
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03
The platform
Goodwill and relationships built over many years, our cultural exchange centres in China and, soon, an online platform. Your relationship can draw on all of it.
Every partnership is different, so we tailor the delivery to your goals and resources. The first 30-minute chat is free, and you agree a plan and a fixed price before we start. We handle the letters, protocol, itineraries, interpreting and hosting, in New Zealand and China. After each visit, council gets a short report: what happened, what was agreed and suggested next steps.
Hosting a delegation? Start with our free one-page checklist: what to confirm, in what order, and when to get help. Download the delegation hosting checklist (PDF). It covers the basics only – programme design, protocol and partner checks need local knowledge, so please talk to us before you confirm a visit.
Got a sister city that needs some attention?
Talk to us in confidence. The first conversation is free. Not sure what links your council has? Search the Sister-City Directory.