Newsletter Article 2001 – First NZ Sister City Administrator Based in Hastings

First NZ Sister City Administrator Based in Hastings

Hastings has become the headquarters of the burgeoning Sister-City movement in New Zealand, and a Hawke’s Bay man, James Morgan, has been appointed as the first national administrator. His office is on the third floor at Hastings District Council, enabling him to work closely with Mayor Jeremy Dwyer who is president of the national organisation.

Through cultural, educational and sporting exchanges, the people-to-people contact between New Zealand communities and others overseas is estimated to be worth more than $55-million a year in tourism alone. James’s role is to introduce a level of professionalism to the administration of the movement, establishing databases, resource kits, archives and a point of contact for communities within New Zealand and overseas. Already 140 cities and communities have established relationships with counterparts in New Zealand and inquiries are coming in weekly.

James was formerly editor of the Herald-Tribune. He is a member of the Hawke’s Bay Health Trust, a director of the Hastings Guilin-Sister Cities Board and a member of its Business Links Group. He will be in the office serving Sister-Cities approximately three days a week. His appointment as administrator initially is for a year.