Thirty years of friendship is being marked in Richmond this week as we host a delegation from our Japanese Friendship town, Fujimi Machi.
From what started as a student exchange programme between Waimea Intermediate and Fujimi Machi Junior High School in the early 90s, it has blossomed into a relationship between the two towns.
Former Tasman Councillor Elaine Henry says a formal Friendly Town arrangement was signed in 1994 following several years of the student exchange programme.
Eight students and four adult chaperones are here for a week and are being hosted by Richmond families.
A delegation from the town’s Council is also accompanying the students and they will enjoy tours of the highlights of the wider Tasman region, including a formal welcome at Te Āwhina Marae, as well as several other official civic functions.
Elaine says one of those functions is the formal dedication of a bench seat next to a cherry blossom tree in an area of Washbourn Gardens which will be named the Fujimi Machi Grove.
The members of the Japanese Council delegation leave this weekend with the students following in a week or so.
Pictured above: The old Fujimi Machi memorial plaque at Sundial Square.