Celebratory lunch at Christchurch Rowing Club marks 50 years of twinning between Christchurch UK and Christchurch New Zealand

A lunch to celebrate 50 years of twinning with their counterparts in New Zealand was held by Christchurch Town Council.

The event took place at Christchurch Rowing Club, and involved civic dignitaries and members of the ANZAC Brass Band, who were in the UK for a commemorative tour.

The band had performed at Brockenhurst cemetery earlier in the day, and then at Christchurch Priory in the evening.

The delegation also included ten students from St Andrew’s College in Christchurch, New Zealand, along with teachers and representatives from the New Zealand Sister Cities Association.

Each student had researched relatives who visited or served in the Christchurch area during the World Wars, further deepening the personal and historical connections shared by the two communities.

Representatives from Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch BID, Rotary International, local residents' associations, and the Scouts were also in attendance to mark the occasion.

During the lunch, Honorary Citizenship Awards were presented by the mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Paul Hilliard, to Ian Morrison, Ted Clark, mayor Phil Mauger, and former mayor Lianne Dalzie, recognising their longstanding commitment to strengthening the friendship and collaboration between the two locations.

A native New Zealand tree will be planted in the New Zealand Gardens on Barrack Road to commemorate 50 years of twinning between the two towns.