First steps in the creation of a Hastings garden in Guilin

The first steps have been taken in the creation of a Hastings garden in the Chinese sister city of Guilin.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule is currently leading a goodwill delegation to China, and participated in the placement of a plaque which will mark the entrance to the Hastings’ garden. The new development comes following the recent visit to Hastings of a delegation from Guilin which discussed the details of what form the garden should take.

Hastings and Guilin celebrate 30 years of their sister city relationship in 2011 and earlier this year Mayor Yule welcomed an official delegation from Guilin to Hastings. Hastings-Guilin was the first sister city relationship to be established between China and New Zealand.

The new garden in the Guilin Botanical Gardens will be designed to reflect mana whenua culture and acknowledge the sister city bond between the two cities. It will include representations of a number of Hastings landmarks including the clock tower, fountain and will also feature a replica of a typical New Zealand house.

Mayor Lawrence Yule says “the garden will bring a new aspect to the relationship between Hastings and Guilin and will significantly enhance the bond between the two cities.”

“Hastings has the Osmanthus Gardens at Cornwall Park- it is fitting that a garden representing this region be developed in Guilin. In fact it is a wonderful idea and we look forward to the bonus of more engagement with Guilin.”Mr Yule says.

The garden will include large grassed areas and construction is expected to begin early in 2012.

Inscription: 奠基 means ‘foundation laying ceremony of Hastings Garden.02/09/2011’