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Hauraki District/Jiading 10th Anniversary project

Wednesday 7 July 2010, 7:48AM

By Hauraki District Council

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At the Council meeting on 16 June, the Hauraki District Council agreed to the concept of dedicating an area that would show the importance with which we hold our Hauraki Jiading sister (situated in Shanghai, China) city relationship.

The Chief Executive, Langley Cavers, advised that the initial proposal for the 10th anniversary was to dedicate a small area in a public area where a stone donated by Matatoki Quarry could be set along with an appropriate plaque.

The Mayor, John Tregidga, stated that there appears to be some misunderstanding regarding the Council’s proposal. He explained that Council confirmed at its meeting on the 30 June that the area that would be dedicated was beside the library and main council office building in Paeroa due for upgrading as part of the streetscape project.

The area is already programmed for this development and the provisional sum of $30,000 was a broad estimate of the amount that could be required to complete the paving of the area, install seating, put in root protection for the existing tree and for the foundation of the proposed stone sculpture. The additional cost for the foundation and plaque would be minimal the Mayor stated.

The Chinese people place great significance on anniversaries he said and next year will be the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Hauraki Jiading Sister City Agreement.

The Mayor noted that the importance of the District Council’s relationship with Jiading should not be underestimated as it will provide economic benefit to Hauraki and NZ in future years.

The Mayor explained that this is a long term relationship that will benefit both current and future generations but already the Sister city relationship has enabled the preparation of a tourism agreement that will bring visitors from Jiading/Shanghai to visit our region as paying visitors and further economic development opportunities are being explored in the beverage and seafood sectors.

To date 98 students from our 3 colleges have been able to visit Jiading and Shanghai for a wonderful educational experience and a Kapa Haka group from Paeroa were excellent Cultural ambassadors in 2008.