Wairoa has been honoured with a group of youth ambassadors visiting from its international sister city of Kitaibaraki.

Wairoa has had a relationship with the Japanese coastal town for three decades and this week celebrated a group of Kitaibaraki youth ambassadors experiencing the Wairoa culture.

The Kitaibaraki partnership began in 1994 through KICS (Kiribati Islands Conservation Society), a non-governmental organisation working to preserve Kiribati's natural environment and unique cultures, which also collaborates with the Tourism Authority of Kiribati to enhance visitor experiences. Wairoa was selected by the New Zealand Tourism Board as an overseas dispatch project of KICS and the relationship has grown over the decades.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said it was an absolute privilege to have the young ambassadors visiting, particularly as the exchange programme had been challenging due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It is great to have a group of Kitaibaraki ambassadors back in our town again said Mr Little who praised the Wairoa College for the work it had done supporting the exchange programme.

"The College has been a key part in cementing this relationship, particularly through the enthusiasm of teachers, the late Trevor and Judy Galvan, who had a real passion to see this relationship succeed."

Mr Little said it really was a great boost for Wairoa to see the continuation of such a special friendship.

"I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and interacting with this group of ambassadors; they are a true credit to their hometown. I hope they have enjoyed their Wairoa visit and will continue to grow and develop through their experience of our Wairoa and New Zealand culture.

"Wairoa and Kitaibaraki are both coastal towns with a shared ambition to grow our districts and maximise opportunities for our people. I look forward to both our towns continuing and expanding our special relationship."

The group presented Mr Little with a hand-crafted gift representing a symbol of the happiness of children and the sister city relationship.

Mr Little said Wairoa and Kitaibaraki had shared a longstanding sister city relationship built on cultural exchange, mutual respect, and enduring friendship, and as a symbol of this special bond, a carved wheku and two art pieces were commissioned to be presented as official gifts from the Mayor of Wairoa to the Mayor of Kitaibaraki.

The wheku is a traditional Māori carving representing an important tipuna (ancestor). It is considered more spiritual than physical and is gifted to provide strength, courage, and protection. The wood used for the carving is native totara timber, and was sourced by Trevor Galvan for pou at Wairoa College, ensuring the continuation of our cultural heritage. This is a representation of the symbolic connection between the two towns and also served as a tribute to Mr Galvan, who was instrumental in strengthening and maintaining the sister city relationship between Wairoa and Kitaibaraki.

The carving was crafted by Aoterangi Cotter, a qualified and trained Māori carver from Wairoa who said it was because of Trevor that he decided to attend the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua to become a qualified carver, with the piece paying homage to Trevor.

The two art pieces are called Nga Tukutuku with one depicting the traditional design of Kaokao, and the other the traditional design of Niho Taniwha. The kaokao pattern is said to represent the sides and arms of warriors in haka, or the ribs that protect vital organs. It is also associated with protection and the strength and shelter of the meeting house.

Niho Taniwha – Niho means tooth, and taniwha refers to a mythical creature, often associated with water and powerful beings. The triangular shapes are seen as representing strength and stability, and the pattern is associated with guardianship and protection.

25 March 2025

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