Christchurch-Seattle May NZ Sister Cities Conference
Christchurch - Seattle Founded 1981 Seattle: 1 of Christchurch’s 7 sister cities Christchurch: 1 of Seattle’s 21 sister cities Sole sister city in Australasia
Christchurch – Seattle: Education Ongoing Scholar Exchanges CHCH initiative from 1990’s Variety of schools in both cities Includes both class time and other activities Committee members participate Ongoing friendships
Christchurch – Seattle: Education University of Canterbury - University of Washington Human Interface Technology Lab (HIT Lab) Originated at UW Sister lab at Canterbury established 2002 35 staff/students Commercialization of technologies Partnership with Canterbury Development Corporation Providing “Virtual Antarctica” at NZ Icefest September 2012
Christchurch – Seattle: Education Future Projects under consideration Geology exchange Canterbury – Washington Science Alive (CHCH) – Pacific Science Centre (Seattle)
Christchurch – Seattle: Youth Children's artworks exchanges, Seattle-CHCH Young artists showcase, USA Seattle artworks exhibition, CHCH 2002 Seattle International Children’s Festival Has included NZ acts sponsored by Seattle
Christchurch – Seattle: Youth Visiting sports teams Included rugby, rowing, other sports Representative, school teams Christchurch and other NZ cities Gymnasts 2012 International Competition in Seattle
Christchurch – Seattle: Business Trade Development Alliance (Seattle) Mission to Christchurch 1999 Trade and business delegations from Christchurch to Seattle 2000, 2005 Included Mayor and CHCH business leaders Canterbury Development Corporation Exploring Seattle TDA model
Christchurch – Seattle: Business Delegation access to Microsoft, other Seattle area businesses CHCH Recycling Program modeled on Seattle Emphasis on connecting and stepping away
Christchurch – Seattle: Earthquake Response Seattle Committee Fundraising: Immediate response Sponsored youth agencies, school trips St John Emergency Response Vehicle Joint project with Wuhan, China
Christchurch – Seattle
Christchurch – Seattle: Other projects Seattle: Permanent Maori Art Exhibit Burke Museum (UW) Ongoing Native American Indian – Maori connections Kea Exhibit at Seattle Zoo NZ high country plantation – Seattle Arboretum International Film Festival Annual sponsorship
Christchurch – Seattle: Other projects Christchurch: Seattle acts at Christchurch Buskers Festival Blues musicians exchanges 2010/11 Seattle Garden at Sister Cities Garden Bench Totem pole
Christchurch – Seattle: More Partnerships! Seattle advising on transport planning (rebuild) Seattle Councilor visit April 2012 with CERA, city planners Police - Mountain bike patrol based on Seattle model Botanical Gardens - UW Arboretum Upgrade of NZ plantation in Seattle USA Antarctic Programme Operation Deep Freeze Based at CHC International Airport
Christchurch – Seattle 30 years plus Seattle-Christchurch awarded BEST OVERALL PROGRAM 2012 Stronger links every day THANK YOU