Councillor's Comment - Councillor Trudie Brand

Community at the heart of our global connections.

Nelson’s cultural calendar shows how international relationships grow strongest when our community leads the way.

At this time of year, with Lunar New Year celebrations taking place across our community and several cultural events on the horizon, it’s a good moment to acknowledge the people who help keep Nelson connected to the wider world. Our Sister City and international relationships are shaped by volunteers, families, students, and community groups who contribute quietly but consistently to these long-standing partnerships.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of our Sister City relationship with Miyazu, Japan. Formally established in 1976, it remains one of New Zealand’s earliest and most enduring Sister City partnerships. The Miyazu Garden in Nelson, opened in 1995, stands as a local symbol of that connection and of the shared landscapes that link our two cities.

The Nelson Miyazu Sister City Association, supported by Council’s Sister Cities and International Visitors Co ordinating Group, is leading the anniversary programme. A dinner for past and present volunteers will be held on 7 May, marking the date the original agreement was signed. Later in the year, a community celebration will take place during the Cherry Blossom Festival at Miyazu Garden. Miyazu has also invited a small Nelson delegation to attend its own cherry blossom festival in May, and the Mayor will represent our city at that occasion. It’s an opportunity to honour the volunteers whose commitment has sustained this relationship for five decades.

Whether it’s our long‑standing connection with Miyazu, our growing friendship with Massa Lubrense, or our cultural ties with China, each relationship adds something unique to Nelson’s identity and community life.

Our other international connections continue to bring vibrancy to Nelson as well. The Italian Festival returns on 1 March, celebrating our friendship with Massa Lubrense through a day of food, culture, and community. And earlier this month, the Nelson Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society welcomed the Year of the Horse with a community banquet.

Together, these events highlight the breadth of our international relationships and the volunteers who sustain them. Their work strengthens cultural understanding, supports youth opportunities, and reflects the community spirit that defines Nelson.

Find out more at about the Nelson Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society at nzchinasociety.org.nz/nelson-branch-of-the-nzcfs or go to their facebook page at facebook.com/nelson.miyazu.