Tatsuno students and chaperones visit the Maniaroa Marae near Mōkau on their recent trip to the Waitomo District. Photo: Supplied
A group of eight Japanese students experienced a week to remember during their recent visit to the Waitomo district as part of the long-standing Tatsuno Sister City exchange.
Friendship between Waitomo and Tatsuno was born when two World War II pilots – Professor Kinase (Tatsuno) and Sir Les Munro (Waitomo) – met at a reunion and realised both town had things in common – like the Tatsuno fireflies and the Waitomo glow worms.
Host families farewell their Tatsuno visitors at Te Kūiti’s shearing statue before heading home to Japan. Photo: Supplied
The sister city relationship was formalised at a ceremony at Te Tokanganui-a-Noho Marae in Te Kuiti on March 30, 1995 – beginning the long-standing friendship.
The most recent Tatsuno group, made up of six boys, two girls and two chaperones, arrived on March 20 and were welcomed with a pōwhiri at the Te Kūiti Fire Station, attended by host families, committee members and community representatives.
Waitomo Sister City chairperson Janette Osborne said it was a joy to host their Tatsuno friends and thanked the locals who contributed to their Kiwi experience.
“The good people of Tatsuno go all-out to provide outstanding hospitality for our Waitomo children when they visit, so it was wonderful to be able to reciprocate,” Mrs Osborne said.
The visit offered a full immersion into Kiwi life, with students spending time black water rafting in Waitomo, and visiting local sheep, beef and dairy farms where they learnt how to shear sheep and milk cows.
A sharing of culture was had on a trip to Mokau, where the Tatsuno teenagers taught local students the art of calligraphy before vising the Maniaroa Marae.
Local farmer Kim Osborne (right) gives his Japanese guests a demonstration of how to shear a sheep. Photo: A Great Backyard
Students were given a civic welcome at Waitomo District Council, enjoying a traditional Kiwi morning tea before visiting the Japanese gardens, museum and Brook Park.
Despite poor weather ending a trip to Marokopa Falls, a glowworm cave experience offered by Spellbound’s Peter and Libby Chandler, who visited Tatsuno in 2019, ensured the group didn’t miss out and reflected the strong friendships built through the Sister City relationship, Mrs Osborne said.
The visit concluded with an emotional farewell at the Te Kūiti shearing statue, highlighting the close bonds formed between students and host families.
Planning is underway for Waitomo’s 2027 visit to Tatsuno. A public information evening for students interested in being part of the next trip is set for August.
Tatsuno students and chaperones visit the Maniaroa Marae near Mōkau on their recent trip to the Waitomo District. Photo: Supplied
