Consul General MATSUI attends a welcome ceremony hosted by local schools in Auckland for “Kodomo (Children) Library” and primary school students joining its programme from Himeji, Japan for a homestay and school visit experience (25 July 2025)
2025/8/1
On July 25, Consul General MATSUI had the pleasure of attending a ceremony hosted by local schools to welcome ”Kodomo Library” (preprimary school for children) and a group of primary school students joining its programme who just arrived from Himeji, Japan for a homestay and school visit experience in New Zealand.
The event began with a heartfelt welcome from Farm Cove Intermediate School and Bucklands Beach Intermediate School students, featuring a powerful haka performance, followed by a Japanese song performed by Kodomo Library students in return, which made a lasting impression on everyone present.
Following the greetings from the principals of the two local schools (FCI and BBI) and Mr AKANISHI Masayuki, Consul General MATSUI said a few words, reflecting on the value of this two-way homestay exchange running since 1988, expressing his respect for the supporters including TAKASE Nobuo-sensei (Aikido Shinryukan) and Barbara-san, and encouraging the students to make the most of their time in New Zealand by getting to know the Kiwi students and enjoying new friendships and learning, which is so important and wonderful and reminds him of his origin as a diplomat.
The Consulate-General of Japan, hoping the visit would lead to lasting memories, will support such initiatives with organizers that promote international exchange to provide children with an opportunity for their hands-on experience on mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand.
The event began with a heartfelt welcome from Farm Cove Intermediate School and Bucklands Beach Intermediate School students, featuring a powerful haka performance, followed by a Japanese song performed by Kodomo Library students in return, which made a lasting impression on everyone present.
Following the greetings from the principals of the two local schools (FCI and BBI) and Mr AKANISHI Masayuki, Consul General MATSUI said a few words, reflecting on the value of this two-way homestay exchange running since 1988, expressing his respect for the supporters including TAKASE Nobuo-sensei (Aikido Shinryukan) and Barbara-san, and encouraging the students to make the most of their time in New Zealand by getting to know the Kiwi students and enjoying new friendships and learning, which is so important and wonderful and reminds him of his origin as a diplomat.
The Consulate-General of Japan, hoping the visit would lead to lasting memories, will support such initiatives with organizers that promote international exchange to provide children with an opportunity for their hands-on experience on mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand.
