Chinese Delegation Visit

A delegation of Chinese Local Government officials visited Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park in November 2011. 

The six-strong group included five representatives of the People’s Government of Nansha District, from the south-east China province of Guangdong. Among the group were two Vice-Directors of the Nansha District People’s Government, and the Director of the Nansha District Government’s Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry.

The group visited New Zealand at the invitation of Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters with the purpose of their visit being to investigate local government processes.  The visit to Waiwhakareke was an aside to fulfil their interest in conservation projects, particularly ecological restoration, local government involvement in this and the use of volunteers to acheive project objectives.

Paul Duffy, Council’s Natural Areas Contracts Supervisor, said the delegation would visited for about 90 minutes, during which staff explained the work which has gone into Waiwhakareke answered any questions that the group had.

Mr Duffy said: “Council is one of several organisations which have put a lot of time and energy into Waiwhakareke, and it’s great to see the Chinese group are interested in what is happening here. The work of volunteers and supporters, who are crucial to our project, was one of the key points in our discussion with the Chinese group.”

The group’s visit was organised by NTB Travel, and the company’s Managing Director David Hogan said the delegation asked for Mr Hogan’s Chinese staff for guidance on places to visit, particularly sites where environmental or conservation work has been undertaken.

“My staff suggested Waiwhakareke would be a good option. The Chinese delegation visited Waiwhakareke’s website, and went straight for it,” Mr Hogan said.

The visit was a success and illustrates the international interest that Waiwhakareke is generating in the conservation community.