150 years commemorated with help from Sister City

Published: 18 November 2024

Last Updated: 19 November 2024

Napier’s 150 celebrations culminate in an official commemoration event with special guests from one of Napier’s three Sister Cities.

The morning event will be held on Thursday 28 November at the Soundshell in Napier’s CBD from 7am and will include kapa haka, pipe band and choir performances, speeches, a free sausage sizzle and the ringing of the Veronica Bell. Marianne Alto will attend, Mayor of the City of Victoria in British Columbia, Napier’s Sister City.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says the gathering will bring the community together for a free event that honours the city’s past.

“The Soundshell is the perfect place to be as a whole community because it’s iconically Napier, it’s central and there’s plenty of room for everyone. It’s great to be able to come into the heart of the city and enjoy being together,” she says. “Having it in the early morning means it’s perfect for those heading off to work and school, so no one will miss out. It’s important to celebrate key moments as a community because it connects us and makes us stronger and more resilient when we need to be.”

Mayor Wise says it is an honour to have Mayor Marianne Alto in the city to celebrate the 150th along with Chief Jerome Thomas, of the Esquimalt Nation, and Norman Garry Sam and Karen Tunkara, councillors from the Songhees Nation.

“This gives an opportunity for us to cement relationships with our Sister City, share knowledge and experience, and learn from each other,” Mayor Wise says. “While our guests are here they will meet with mana whenua to discuss their reconciliation journey with the City of Victoria, and land and water issues. They will also meet with staff and councillors to discuss local infrastructure issues. There is a particular interest to hear about our cyclone recovery especially with key assets like the wastewater treatment plant, which they will tour while they are here.”

The itinerary also includes an art deco walking tour and Napier City Council business unit presentations. The crew of Te Matau a Māui, the 22 metre waka hourua (ocean-going waka), will take the group for a short sail.

Napier has three Sister Cities: Lianyungang in China, Tomakomai in Japan and the City of Victoria, Canada.

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