Consul General MINOYA Visits Waitomo District (4 November 2026)
2026/11/6
Consul General MINOYA with Mayor John Robertson (right) and General Manager Helen Beever (left)
Waitomo District Council offices
On 4 November, Consul General MINOYA visited Waitomo District and met with Mayor John Robertson and General Manager Helen Beever. They exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including sister-city exchanges, tourism and business opportunities.
Waitomo District has a longstanding sister-city relationship with Tatsuno Town in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, with exchanges continuing every year. Consul General MINOYA also visited the beautiful Tatsuno Japanese Garden, which was developed with the cooperation of Tatsuno Town and serves as a symbol of friendship between the two communities.
Waitomo is well known for the famous Waitomo Caves, where visitors can see thousands of glowworms. Te Kūiti, the district's main town, is also known as the "Shearing Capital of the World" and is closely associated with legendary All Blacks rugby player Sir Colin Meads.
The Great New Zealand Muster, a popular local event celebrating the region's sheep farming heritage, is scheduled to take place on 20 March 2027.
We look forward to further strengthening the friendship and exchanges between Japan and Waitomo.
Waitomo District has a longstanding sister-city relationship with Tatsuno Town in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, with exchanges continuing every year. Consul General MINOYA also visited the beautiful Tatsuno Japanese Garden, which was developed with the cooperation of Tatsuno Town and serves as a symbol of friendship between the two communities.
Waitomo is well known for the famous Waitomo Caves, where visitors can see thousands of glowworms. Te Kūiti, the district's main town, is also known as the "Shearing Capital of the World" and is closely associated with legendary All Blacks rugby player Sir Colin Meads.
The Great New Zealand Muster, a popular local event celebrating the region's sheep farming heritage, is scheduled to take place on 20 March 2027.
We look forward to further strengthening the friendship and exchanges between Japan and Waitomo.
Tatsuno Japanese Garden, a symbol of friendship with Tatsuno Town
Tatsuno Japanese Garden, a symbol of friendship with Tatsuno Town
Statue of legendary All Blacks player Sir Colin Meads
Te Kūiti, known as the “Shearing Capital of the World”