Like two old pals catching up, the value of a 30-year bond was made clear during last month’s visit by a group from Richmond’s Japanese Friendship Town, Fujimi Machi.
Students and chaperones from Fujimi Machi Junior High School were accompanied by a delegation from the town’s Council, including Mayor Shegaru Narito, to enjoy the sights and hospitality of the wider Tasman District.
The students’ visit continued a long-standing exchange relationship with Waimea College and saw them hosted by Richmond families.
During their visit, our Japanese guests also enjoyed a dinner function, a farm visit and a ferry trip between Moturoa / Rabbit Island and Māpua.
A pōwhiri (formal welcome) was heldat Te Āwhina Marae in Motueka, which included a reaffirming of the Friendly Town arrangement between Richmond and Fujimi Machi that was first signed in 1994.
Thursday 21 March saw the formal dedication of a bench seat at Washbourn Gardens, next to a cherry blossom tree planted on a previous Fujimi Machi Mayoral visit.
Richmond Ward Councillor and Friendly Towns liaison Jo Ellis said as the way we meet has changed in the last 30 years, the need to maintain these kinds of relationships was more important than ever.
“While we can communicate through a screen – what we cannot do is stand next to each other, breathe in the same air and share our experiences or kai together.”
In response, Mayor Narito said he hoped the ongoing relationship between Richmond and his town – located in Nagano Prefecture – would continue to blossom as the tree had done so for many years.
