Japanese delegation visits Marlborough

Mayor Nadine Taylor hosted a delegation from Otari Village in Japan last week. The delegation included Mr Nakamura Yoshiaki, Mayor of Otari. Otari is part of Marlborough’s Sister Cities programme.

It was a warm welcome - both mayors have sons of the same age who participated in the sister cities youth exchange programme while at high school. Gifts were exchanged - including handmade cloth and whisky from the Japanese - and native wood bowls and wine from Marlborough.

Mayor Taylor said it was great to see the 33-year relationship continuing with youth exchanges planned for 2025.

“The Sister City agreement with Otari came about through friendships made at Outward Bound - Otari is home to an Outward Bound School and there are still student exchanges going on between Otari and Marlborough today.”

Otari Village is a small town in Nagano Prefecture, north-east of Tokyo, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Otari is a holiday resort with good skiing and snowboarding facilities.