Rotorua's worldwide links with sister schools | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua might not be New Zealand's biggest city but local schools are making connections all over the world.

They have sister schools in Australia, the United Kingdom, China, Japan and India.

The Rotorua District Council and Western Heights High School has welcomed a delegation from Rotorua's sister city Beppu, Japan which is also home to Western Heights' sister school, Hamurodai High School.

Rotorua has three other sister cities - Wuzhong in China, Australia's Lake Macquarie and Klamath Falls in the United States. It also has two friendship cities - Nanjing and Xuyi, both in China.

The Beppu delegation was formally welcomed by Mayor Kevin Winters in a ceremony at the council chambers.

Mr Winters said the idea behind sister cities was to network and create opportunities for businesses to build relationships.

"That's what it's all about."

He said it was also important to acknowledge other cultures.

Principal Violet Pelham-Waerea said Hamurodai High was like an extension of Western Heights.

"It's like a part of our family," she said.

She said it was great for her students because they formed close bonds with their Japanese buddies.

"It gives them an insight to other cultures."

When the Japanese students visited they became completely immerged in Rotorua life, attending classes at the school and practising their English language skills.

The students would homestay with Rotorua families and Mrs Pelham-Waerea said Western Heights students became very attached.

"It's always a positive thing," she said.

Rotorua Girls' High School has also made international connections with sister schools in Australia, the United Kingdom and Taiyuan, China.

Rotorua Boys' High School also has a sister school in China.

Girls' High principal Annette Joyce said students made regular exchanges with all schools.

She said the trips were life-changing for the students. "It helps provide them with a more well-rounded education."

Trips were also good for teachers who could use them as professional development.

"They have the chance to see the way their subject is taught in other countries," Mrs Joyce said.

Reporoa College was the latest school to form international connections.

Principal Kris Bhatt said they had made connections with two schools in India.

Two groups have visited the school so far and Mr Bhatt said they intended to take some students from the college to India next year.

"It's good exposure for students to see what is happening around the world."

Mr Bhatt said the Kiwi education system was so different to India's that students were were gobsmacked when they came here.

"Indian students go home and beg their parents to let them study in New Zealand."

Waiariki Institute of Technology was also tapping into international relationships.

Chief executive Dr Pim Borren said the institute was working on creating stronger ties with China via the Rotorua Town development in Nanjing's Jiangning district.

Dr Borren said the development had been a vision between the Rotorua District Council and the Nanjing Moon Building Company and now Waiariki wanted to run with it. "The key to a better economic relationship with China is to first create a stronger education partnership."

The institute already had a relationship with the Nanjing Institute of Tourism and Hospitality.

"We're hoping, in turn, it will create some opportunities for us."