Building on the success of the inaugural 2015 event, the second New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum was held in Wellington in December 2017. As a preferred partner for LGNZ, Eastern Bridge played an expanded role in providing strategic advice, training, and on-the-ground support.
With 53 councils maintaining 154 international relationships across 20+ countries, New Zealand’s sister city network is one of the most active in the Asia-Pacific region — yet many partnerships remain underutilised. This article examines what makes them work.
With borders closed and travel suspended, the Eastern Bay of Plenty–Jiangxi sister province relationship adapted — pivoting to online school exchanges, a cross-Pacific ecology programme, and a gesture of solidarity in the form of a PPE shipment from Jiangxi to the Eastern Bay.
A 19-person delegation from the Eastern Bay of Plenty travelled to Nanchang in June 2019, signing landmark friendship agreements with Jiangxi Province and returning home with a $190,000 scholarship fund, a new Bay of Plenty Promotion Centre, and a suite of business and education partnerships.
In December 2018, Eastern Bridge presented a strategic framework to the Eastern Bay of Plenty Joint Committee for a sister province relationship with Jiangxi, China. Aimed at boosting regional tourism, investment, and youth opportunities, the proposal won unanimous support from the mayors of Ōpōtiki
The first-ever New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum took place in Xiamen in September 2015, establishing a new platform for local government cooperation. Eastern Bridge played a key supporting role for its council clients, providing strategic advice and due diligence.
