Agenda of International Advisory Group

COAT-ARM Hastings District Council

Civic Administration Building

Lyndon Road East, Hastings 4156

Phone: (06) 871 5000

Fax: (06) 871 5100

www.hastingsdc.govt.nz

M I N U T E S

International Advisory Group

Meeting Date:

Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Minutes of a Meeting of the International Advisory Group held on

21 June 2017 at 3.00pm

Table of Contents

Item Page No.

1. Apologies 1

2. Conflict of Interest 1

3. Consideration of General Business Items 1

4. Confirmation of Minutes 1

5. Learning Hawke's Bay China Delegation 1

6. Dezhou - Friendship Agreement 2

7. Osmanthus Garden Lantern Festival Report 2

8. Sister Cities Conference Report 2

9. Report From the Chair Education Link 3

10. Supplementary Agenda Item - Asians in the Bay Awards 3

11. Supplementary Agenda Item - Guilin China School Visit 8 - 13 August 2017 3

HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE International Advisory Group

HELD IN THE Landmarks Room, Ground Floor, Civic Administration Building, Lyndon Road East, Hastings ON

Wednesday, 21 June 2017 AT 3.00pm

Present: Chair: Councillor Travers

Mayor Yule, Councillors Dixon and Watkins
Mrs J Too (Hawke’s Bay Chinese Association); Mrs Rizwaana Latiff (Multicultural Association), Mrs S Padfield (Education Link Group)

IN ATTENDANCE: Economic Development Manager (Mr L Neville)

Democratic Support Manager (Mrs J Evans)

1. Apologies

Councillor Travers/Councillor Dixon

That apologies for absence from Mr Dayatilake and Mr Lade be accepted.

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest

There were no declarations of conflicts of interest.

3. Consideration of General Business Items

There were no general business items.

4. Confirmation of Minutes

There were no minutes to confirm.

Learning Hawke's Bay China Delegation

(Document 17/450)

The Economic Development Manager informed the Group about a recent trip to China by Learning Hawke’s Bay.

Councillor Watkins/Councillor Travers

A) That the report of the International Business Development Manager titled “Learning Hawke's Bay China Delegation” dated 21/06/2017 be received.

CARRIED

Dezhou - Friendship Agreement

(Document 17/451

Councillor Dixon/Mrs Padfield

A) That the report of the Economic Development Manager titled “Dezhou - Friendship Agreement” dated 21/06/2017 be received.

5.1 B) That Council be recommended to adopt the Friendship Agreement between Dezhou City, Shandong Province, China and Hastings District Council as attached to this report.

With the reasons for this decision being that the objective of the decision will contribute to meeting the current and future needs of communities in building International relationships.

CARRIED

Osmanthus Garden Lantern Festival Report

(Document 17/567)

Councillor Kevin Watkins presented a report on the success of the Lantern Festival held on 5 – 9 April 2017.

It was felt that the Lantern Festival in Osmanthus Gardens should be treated as annual event in the Council diary and that consideration should be given to the allocation of a budget for the organisation of the festival.

Councillor Watkins/Councillor Dixon

A) That the report of the Democratic Support Manager titled “Osmanthus Garden Lantern Festival Report” dated 21/06/2017 be received.

B) That it be noted that $5,000 from the current 2016-17 year International Advisory Group cultural activity budget has been allocated to the funding of the 2017 Lantern festival.

C) That up to $5000 be granted towards the 2018 Osmanthus Garden Festival from the IAG Cultural Activity Budget.

D) That the Social and Cultural Development Committee be requested to consider the allocation of a specific budget at an appropriate level to fund the holding of a Lantern Festival at Osmanthus Gardens for 2019 onwards.

CARRIED

Sister Cities Conference Report

(Document 17/568)

Councillors Travers and Watkins reported to the Group on the Sister City Conference they attended held in Invercargill in from 4 - 6 May 2017.

It was noted that Hastings District won the school and youth section of the Sister Cities project competition. Councillor Watkins was congratulated on the work he had undertaken for this event.

Councillor Travers/Mrs Padfield

A) That the report of the Democratic Support Manager titled “Sister Cities Conference Report” dated 21/06/2017 be received.

CARRIED

ReportS From International advisory Group members

(Document CG-14-1-00007, CG-14-10-00006, 17/451)

The Group received reports from Mrs Padfield, the Chair of Education Link, the China Friendship Society, and Mrs Too, President of the Chinese Association, Hawkes Bay.

Mrs Padfield/Councillor Watkins

A) That the report of the Democratic Support Manager titled “Report from International Advisory Group Members ” dated 21/06/2017 be received.

CARRIED

10.

Supplementary Agenda Item - Asians in the Bay Awards

(Document 17/594)

The Group considered a request from the Multicultural Association, Hawke’s Bay to sponsor the Asians in the Bay Awards 2017.

Mrs Padfield/Councillor Watkins

A) That the report of the Economic Development Manager titled “Supplementary Agenda Item - Asians in the Bay Awards” dated 21/06/2017 be received.

B) That a contribution of $2,000 be made to the Asians in the Bay Awards 2017 to be met from the IAG Cultural Activity budget.

With the reasons for this decision being that the objective of the decision will contribute to meeting the current and future needs of communities in building International relationships.

CARRIED

11.

Supplementary agenda item - Guilin China School Visit 8 - 13 august 2017

(CG- 14-10-00008)

The Group considered a report on a forthcoming visit scheduled for 8 -13 August 2017 from the Guilin Children’s Palace School. The report outlined details of the visit and proposals to hold an event to welcome the guests.

Councillor Travers/Councillor Dixon

A) That the report of the Events Manager titled “Supplementary Agenda Item – Guilin China School Visit” dated 21/06/2017 be received.

B) That a contribution of up to $3,000 be made towards the funding of an event to welcome the Guilin Children’s Palace School to be met from the IAG Cultural Activity budget.

With the reasons for this decision being that the objective of the decision will contribute to meeting the current and future needs of communities in building International relationships.

CARRIED

________________________

The meeting closed at 4 .45 pm

Confirmed:

Chairman:

Date:

File Ref: 17/1016

REPORT TO: International Advisory Group

MEETING DATE: Wednesday 11 October 2017

FROM: EVENTS MANAGER

Ginette Miller

SUBJECT: Children's Palace Visit

1.0 SUMMARY

1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the Guilin Children’s Palace School of Performing Arts visit to Hawke’s Bay 8 – 12 August 2017.

This request was made to update the Committee on the outcomes of the visit.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 A group of 16 10-12 year olds and 6 accompanying adults from the Guilin Children’s Palace school were officially welcomed with a powhiri at Te Aute College on Wednesday, 9 August 2017. Following, they had lunch and a tour of the Hastings District Council with Councillors, and a visit to both the Osmanthus Gardens and St Matthews Church (led by Councillor Kevin Watkins).

2.2 The rest of the week included visits to schools across Hastings and Napier, including Havelock North High School, Havelock North Intermediate School and St Patrick’s School (Napier).

2.3 The week culminated in a joint performance with the Hawke’s Bay Orchestral Society Youth at the Blyth Performing Arts Centre, Iona College on Saturday, 12 August 2017. This was a free concert given to the public, and was very well attended. The performers and special guests were then invited to attend a private reception in the Iona College Dining Hall as a farewell luncheon.

3.0 SIGNIFICANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

3.1 Guilin hosted the Mayor and the Hawke’s Bay Youth Orchestra in April 2016 with a formal ceremony and banquet for the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship, and we committed to returning the hospitality the next time they visit Hastings

3.2 The public performance gave the communities of Hastings the opportunity to learn more about our sister relationship, experience cultural diversity, and support our aspiring young musicians

3.3 Our hospitality resulted in continued positive relations with our sister city plus an invitation to do a return visit to Guilin in the near future.

3.4 Below is a letter written by the President of the NZ China Friendship Society David Bromwich to the head dignitary of the Guilin group that demonstrates the positive outcomes of the visit and the benefit of the hospitality that was shown to Guilin:

“Hello He Xin

I would like to express my gratitude to you and GFAO for the support and assistance for the Guilin Children’s Palace visit. This end, we consider it was a great success. The itinerary went off well, the performances were a great hit in all 5 schools visited, and an added bonus was the warmth and sincerity expressed between the young people of both countries in informal interaction. A true investment in ‘people to people’ exchange.

I personally feel that this visit has also contributed to the depth of the sister city relationship, and with the visit to Guilin last April, established a rejuvenation of cultural exchange. We are grateful for the contribution made by the Hastings District Council, and look forward to ongoing collaboration with them. I am optimistic that this exchange will become a regular activity. While we are currently looking at a return of the HB youth orchestra to Guilin next April, GCP are very keen that at minimum it becomes an essential part of 40^th anniversary celebrations in 2021, if not before.

Te Aute College would also like an invitation from GFAO to visit Guilin with a group of performers. The last visit in 2006 was well remembered, and they are keen to come again in the near future. At this stage, a general invitation letter for them to start to plan would be gratefully received.

Once again, thanks to all in Guilin who made this visit possible”.

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS AND REASONS

A) That the report of the Event Manager titled “Children's Palace Visit” dated 11/10/2017 be received.

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

File Ref: 17/1018

REPORT TO: International Advisory Group

MEETING DATE: Wednesday 11 October 2017

FROM: Economic Development Manager

Lee Neville

SUBJECT: Update Report

1.0 SUMMARY

1.1 The purpose of this report is to verbally update the Group on International and Sister City activity since the last meeting of the Group in June 2017.

1.2 This report concludes by recommending that the information be received

2.0 ACTIVITIES

2.1 Asians in the Bay Awards – Mrs Rizwaana Latiff, Multicultural Association Hawke’s Bay reported that a successful Asian in the Bay Awards was held on 7 August 2017 and continues to grow every year. A record number of 36 applications were received, with 230 people attending the Awards evening.

2.2 The guest speaker at the Awards was Vanisa Dhiru, President National Council of Women who was very inspirational.

2.3 The Multicultural Association Hawke’s Bay acknowledged and thanked Hastings District Council for their sponsorship for the Awards.

2.4 The next upcoming event for the Association would be the International Cultures Day to be held on Saturday, 4 March 2018 at Cornwall Park, Hastings.

2.5 International Cultures Day was an opportunity for people to taste of a variety of yummy food from all over the world, get to know the different international communities that now call Hawke's Bay their home and enjoy a range of performances from local international talents.

2.6 Education Link – An verbal/written update will be provided at the meeting.

2.7 2018 China Amazing Race - Following the success of the 2015 Amazing China Face Race Councillor Watkins is in the initial stages of bringing together Sponsorship to support a second similar Amazing China Face Race project for 2018.

2.8 During Councillor Watkins’ recent visit to China, he meet with our 2015 Gold Sponsors in Nanning. In the debrief, they commented the Amazing China Face Race far exceeded any expectations they had, and they have given verbal confirmation they would be happy to again support a 2018 project. This is a crucial funding partner.

2.9 Councillor Watkins was currently in negotiations with Air New Zealand who were our Silver sponsors in 2015 and may have an update to present to the meeting.

2.10 On Monday, 9 October 2017 Councillor Watkins will be flying to Wellington to further discuss the 2018 project with Mr Guo, China Culture Organisation Director.

2.11 The China Culture organisation is directed by the Ministry of Culture in Beijing. In June Mr Guo travelled to Hastings to learn more about the 2015 Amazing China Face Race, and how they might assist in further similar projects.

2.12 Councillor Watkins will update the Committee at the meeting.

3.0 RECOMMENDATION

A) That the report of the Economic Development Manager titled “Update Report” dated 11/10/2017 be received.

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

File Ref: 17/1015

REPORT TO: International Advisory Group

MEETING DATE: Wednesday 11 October 2017

FROM: Economic Development Manager

Lee Neville

SUBJECT: Guilin Sister City Visit to Hastings

1.0 SUMMARY

1.1 The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the recent Guilin Delegation visit to Hastings in July 2017.

1.2 This report concludes by recommending that the report be received for information.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 The following members formed part of the Guilin Delegation invited to the district by former Mayor Yule.

Zhao Leqin	Chairman	Guilin Municipal Peoples Congress
Huang Liping	Deputy Secretary General	CPC Guilin Municipal Committee
Lu Zhicheng	Secretary	CPC Pingle County Committee
Jiang Yuliang	Secretary	CPC Guilin Xiufeng District Committee
Xie Xiaoming	Director	Guilin Land Resources Bureau
Zhou Bo	Section Chief	CPC Guilin Municipal Committee

2.2 The Delegation were welcomed at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Airport by Councillor Watkins who escorted the Delegation around the district and visited the following:

· Arataki honey

· Te Mata Peak

· Walk through central Hastings

· Visited Osmanthus Gardens

· Hastings District Council

· St Matthews Church

· Paratua Vineyards, Bridge Pa

2.3 Council hosted the Delegation at Craggy Range for the evening dinner.

2.4 The delegation visit was a very short goodwill visit from our sister city which reinforced how important the relationship is between Guilin and Hastings.

2.5 It was agreed during Clr Watkins visit to Guilin City that Guilin would send one or two of their minority people who would wear minority costume as an added attraction for the Lantern Festival, Osmanthus Gardens to be held in April 2018.

2.6 In China there are 56 ethnic groups with the major group being the “Han” and they represent 93% of the Chinese population. The other 55 minority groups across China of which several of those minority groups reside in Guilin. Each minority group has their own distinct colourful costume.

3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS AND REASONS

A) That the report of the Economic Development Manager titled “Guilin Sister City Visit to Hastings” dated 11/10/2017 be received for information.

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.