Investiture ceremony for Mr Graham Sayer (17 February 2023)

On Friday 17 February, an investiture ceremony was held at the Consul General’s residence for Mr Graham Sayer, recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays in the 2021 Autumn Conferment of Decorations.
 
Mr Sayer has played a central role in the founding of the New Zealand Kendo Federation and served as President of the federation for 32 years, contributing to the promotion of Kendo in New Zealand as well as furthering exchanges and friendly relations between Japan and New Zealand.
 
At the ceremony, Consul-General Shinichi Hamada congratulated Mr Sayer on his achievements and presented him with the decoration. New Zealand Kendo Federation Chairperson Alan Stephenson, Auckland Kendo Club co-founder Ken Wells and Auckland Kendo Club co-founder Brent Hansen spoke of Mr Sayer’s many contributions to Kendo and cultural exchange and celebrated his honour.
 
Mr Sayer expressed his happiness at sharing this honour along with those involved in the promotion of Kendo in New Zealand and his deepest gratitude to His Majesty the Emperor and Japanese government.
 
The ceremony was attended by many including family, friends, and Kendo practitioners to celebrate in Mr Sayer's honour.

For more information regarding the decoration, please see the 2021 Autumn Conferment of Decorations notice.
 
For more information about Mr Sayer’s activities, please visit our homepage which features his profile.