Page 212 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
New Zealand is one of the top five priority countries in the ACT government’s international engagement strategy and it is also a priority market in the ACT government’s broader economic development strategies. We have cultivated and strengthened our relationship with the New Zealand capital across many fronts.
The November delegation was my fourth mission to Wellington as Chief Minister and my fifth in five years with my trade minister responsibilities. These visits, along with a number of other ministerial and business delegations led by my colleagues and the Canberra Business Chamber, demonstrate our strong commitment to the relationship.
It is now more than two years since our cities began our sister city relationship, and in cooperation with the Wellington City Council and the ACT’s Office of International Engagement a progress report on the relationship was launched as part of this visit. Much has been achieved in the two short years since the two capitals formed a lasting connection as sister cities. The cities have many similarities, from our population size to our quality of life, to our focus on innovation and to the strength of the public sector in our economies.
We continue to collaborate and share knowledge, crossing both public and private sectors. The stated commitment to pursue partnerships in tourism and events and mutual exchange in smart city technologies and innovation is particularly important to Canberra, as these correspond with our key capability areas.
The report highlights the many successes of our relationship to date. From screen development and innovative start-ups to growing the partnerships between our zoos, cultural institutions and businesses, the sister city relationship is enabling new activity and opportunities for both our cities.
The two-year report on the Canberra and Wellington sister city agreement was launched jointly by Mr Justin Lester, the Mayor of Wellington, and me and highlights the many successes the strong relationship has created. Last year’s mission continued our work in fostering relations, collaborating and idea-sharing between the world’s two cool little capitals.
In September 2018 Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium signed a memorandum of understanding with the Wellington Zoo. In October 2018, during the Mayor of Wellington’s delegation to Canberra, the National Arboretum Canberra and the Wellington Botanic Garden also signed an MOU. Both MOUs will lead to closer cooperation between the organisations, including in the areas of operations, management, sustainability and promotional activities, with benefits not just to the organisations themselves but also to Canberra and Wellington more broadly.
I had the opportunity to visit Wellington Botanic Garden whilst in the city and to discuss the work that has been undertaken to date and the further work that will occur to deliver on the MOU. I also had the opportunity to visit the Wellington Zoo—which is, coincidentally, run by an Australian—to learn about the animal conservation work being undertaken there. Wellington Zoo is also the world’s first carboNZero certified zoo, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of the organisation.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video