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2 · Sister cities and civic exchanges
Sister-city relationships people can actually see.
Plenty of councils have a sister city on paper. We help you keep yours active, honest and useful: relationship management, MOUs and agreements, civic visits and protocol, and delegations both ways.
Your first conversation is free and confidential.
What we look after
One named contact who knows both sides and stays in regular touch with your partner city, in New Zealand and in China.
A
Risk management
We check who you’re dealing with before anything is signed or promised. We explain what an MOU or agreement actually commits you to, in plain English, and make sure every language version says the same thing before anyone signs.
B
Tangible outcomes
A simple yearly plan with your partner city and a short summary for council, so elected members and ratepayers can see what the relationship delivers. If it has gone quiet, we help you decide whether to revive it, reshape it or wind it down respectfully.
C
Economic development
Using the relationship to open doors for local businesses, schools and tourism operators, with introductions that are checked first and followed up properly.
D
Cultural awareness and etiquette
Titles, gifts, seating, speeches and photos. Civic visits and protocol handled with care on both sides, so a visit goes well and nothing goes wrong in public.
E
Community connection
Bringing schools, iwi, community groups and young people into the relationship, so it belongs to your community and not only to council. When a relationship changes, we help you explain why to your community.
Delegations, both ways
Whether your mayor is heading to China or a partner city is coming to you, we look after the details so your team can focus on the people.
- Letters of invitation and replies, in both languages
- An itinerary, meetings and visits that match what council wants to achieve
- Protocol briefings for your mayor, councillors and staff
- Interpreting, and someone from our team with you on the day
- Hosting in New Zealand with council, schools, iwi and local businesses
- Follow-up afterwards, so the visit leads somewhere
Visits to China
Who you’ll be dealing with
Eastern Bridge looks after the New Zealand side. Arrangements and contracting in China go through our sister company in Beijing, Beijing New Bridge. It’s a separate company, and we’ll always tell you when it’s involved.
How it works
We don’t try to do everything ourselves. We look after the relationship, and we bring in the right people.
01
The filter
We check every approach before you commit, flag the risks early and keep council safe, so your time goes into the opportunities that are real.
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02
The connector
We find the right partner in New Zealand or China, make the introduction properly, and stay involved after the first meeting.
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03
The platform
Goodwill and relationships built over many years, our cultural exchange centres in China and, soon, an online platform. Your relationship can draw on all of it.
Every partnership is different, so we tailor the delivery to your goals and resources. The first 30-minute chat is free, and you agree a plan and a fixed price before we start. We handle the letters, protocol, itineraries, interpreting and hosting, in New Zealand and China. After each visit, council gets a short report: what happened, what was agreed and suggested next steps.
Got a sister city that needs some attention?
Talk to us in confidence. The first conversation is free.