Chinese delegation to visit Waiwhakareke

A delegation of Chinese Local Government officials will visit Hamilton’s Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park next week.

The six-strong group includes five representatives of the People’s Government of Nansha District, from the south-east China province of Guangdong. Among the group are two Vice-Directors of the Nansha District People’s Government, and the Director of the Nansha District Government’s Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry, and they are visiting New Zealand at the invitation of Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters.

Waiwhakareke is a 60-hectare wetland park on the outskirts of Hamilton, and one of the country’s largest inland ecological restoration projects. The Chinese delegation will visit Waiwhakareke on Wednesday, 30 November, from 3pm.

Paul Duffy, Council’s Natural Areas Contracts Supervisor, said the delegation would visit for about 90 minutes, during which staff would explain the work which has gone into Waiwhakareke and take questions.

Mr Duffy said: “Council is one of several organisations which have put a lot of time and energy into Waiwhakareke, and it’s great to see the Chinese group are interested in what is happening there. The work of volunteers and supporters, who are crucial to our project, will be one of the key points in our discussion with the Chinese group.”

The group’s visit is being organised by NTB Travel, and the company’s Managing Director David Hogan said the delegation has an interest in environmental and conservation work. They asked for Mr Hogan’s Chinese staff for guidance on places to visit, particularly sites where environmental or conservation work has been undertaken.

“My staff suggested Waiwhakareke would be a good option. The Chinese delegation visited Waiwhakareke’s website, and went straight for it,” Mr Hogan said.

EDITOR’S NOTES

The Chinese delegation will be accompanied by an interpreter, and are aware media may be present when they visit.