While political and military tensions around the world appear to be increasing, the diplomatic relations between Stratford District and the neighbouring Republic of Whangamomona have recently improved, thanks to a stuffed kiwi.
Every year, Stratford District Council holds an ordinary meeting of council in the neighbouring republic to ensure Whangamomona residents are able to meet with, and speak to the Council representatives. At last year's meeting, Whangamomona residents appealed directly to the Stratford mayor for the return of a stuffed kiwi they said belonged to the Republic.
Mayor Neil Volzke says following last year's meeting, investigations took place, and ascertained the kiwi, which at that point was on display in Stratford's i-SITE centre, did indeed come from Whangamomona.
He says there are a number of different versions of the story regarding where the kiwi came from, but told the meeting he was choosing the one which suited the purpose best.
"And I would now like to embellish it, in true Whanga fashion." The kiwi had been on display at the Whangamomona School in the 1940s, but disappeared when the school merged with Marco School in 1979.