With 53 councils maintaining 154 international relationships across 20+ countries, New Zealand’s sister city network is one of the most active in the Asia-Pacific region — yet many partnerships remain underutilised. This article examines what makes them work.
With borders closed and travel suspended, the Eastern Bay of Plenty–Jiangxi sister province relationship adapted — pivoting to online school exchanges, a cross-Pacific ecology programme, and a gesture of solidarity in the form of a PPE shipment from Jiangxi to the Eastern Bay.
A 19-person delegation from the Eastern Bay of Plenty travelled to Nanchang in June 2019, signing landmark friendship agreements with Jiangxi Province and returning home with a $190,000 scholarship fund, a new Bay of Plenty Promotion Centre, and a suite of business and education partnerships.
In December 2018, Eastern Bridge presented a strategic framework to the Eastern Bay of Plenty Joint Committee for a sister province relationship with Jiangxi, China. Aimed at boosting regional tourism, investment, and youth opportunities, the proposal won unanimous support from the mayors of Ōpōtiki
Building on the success of the inaugural 2015 event, the second New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum was held in Wellington in December 2017. As a preferred partner for LGNZ, Eastern Bridge played an expanded role in providing strategic advice, training, and on-the-ground support.
The first-ever New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum took place in Xiamen in September 2015, establishing a new platform for local government cooperation. Eastern Bridge played a key supporting role for its council clients, providing strategic advice and due diligence.
