Sister city junkets

The Press reports:

China, Australia and England may be on the itinerary of Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel this year.

Councillors are being asked to approve ratepayer-funded visits by the mayor and elected members to each of Christchurch’s six sister cities once every three-year term, including three trips this year.

This isn’t a criticism of Dalziel, who inherited them, but I’m sceptical about most sister city relationships. the major benefits seems to be regular junkets for Councillors.

Where there is a strong trading relationship, I think there can be benefits. But mostly, they’re of no benefit.

I live in Wellington. I don’t know off hand who are sister cities are. I doubt most businesses know. The only people who know will be the Councillors who get to travel there.

Here’s the total number of sister cities, NZ cities and districts have:

• Australia – 26
• Belgium – 1
• Canada – 2
• China – 33
• Denmark – 1
• Fiji – 1
• France – 4
• Germany – 1
• Greece – 1
• Ireland – 2
• Italy – 1
• Japan – 44
• Netherlands – 1
• Pacific Islands – 3
• South Korea – 3
• UK- 9
• US – 21

Imagine all the junkets as each city gets at least one visit a turn.

And which NZ Councils have the most sister cities. The top 14 are:

1. Auckland – 19
2. Christchurch – 7
3. Gisborne – 6
4. Wellington – 6
5. Rotorua – 5
6. Taupo – 5
7. Hutt City – 4
8. Matamata-Piako – 4
9. Ashburton – 4
10. Dunedin – 4
11. Napier – 4
12. Porirua – 4
13. Thams/Coromandel/Whitianga – 4
14. Timaru – 4

Maybe have a limit of 2 per city!