Friendship formed at Waitangi
This year New Zealand celebrated 178 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
But it was a day of firsts for Matamata-Piako. Matamata hosted Waitangi Day for the first time in the four years since the district officially celebrated the day.
It was also the first time Te Reo O Te Mangai Ratana Band played in Matamata. And for Kitakami Mayor Toshihiko Takahashi, it was his first time in New Zealand - and his first Waitangi Day.
The mayor of the Japanese city, and members of his delegation, spent a few days exploring Matamata-Piako and meeting with the district’s mayor Jan Barnes to welcome in a partnership of the two districts in TAFISA World Challenge Day.
Late last year Kitakami challenged Matamata-Piako to the unique challenge - the only New Zealand district to participate.
TAFISA World Challenge Day is a one-on-one community challenge, where communities from around the world are paired according to size, competing to be the most active.
It incorporates the whole community - from pre-school through to the elderly.
In order to win World Challenge Day, Matamata-Piako needs to have the highest number of participants per capita participating in 15 minutes of physical activity - from calf lifts at an office desk, or gentle movement for the elderly, or yoga on the top of Wairere Falls.
The challenge will take place on May 30 this year.
Kitakami is a city with a similar economic profile to the Matamata-Piako, with strengths in farming, tourism and also a strong rugby connection.
It will be a neighbouring city for the 2018 Rugby World Cup.
Kitakami has participated in World Challenge Day in previous years to promote community spirit following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami, on neighbouring Kamaishi in 2011.
Takahashi said for them the World Challenge Day was a chance to show support for Kamaishi and to build friendship with Matamata-Piako.
Barnes said people could sign up for the challenge at: worldchallenge.co.nz city