Mayor and others to return Tahiti visit

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Mayor Meng Foon will accept an invitation that reciprocates the visit of a delegation from Mahina in Tahiti — but any district councillor wishing to make the trip to the Pacific nation will have to do so at their own expense.

Gisborne District Sister Cities will fund the visit of Mr Foon and a representative from Uawanui.

Mahina tavana (mayor) Damas Terai Teuira and other Mahina officials visited Gisborne earlier this year and indicated they wished to participate in Te Ha 1769 Sestercentennial commemorations next year.

Tupaia, the Tahitian navigator and priest who accompanied Cook on his first vovage in 1769, is buried in Mahina.

Mr Foon presented recommendations concerning the invitation from Mahina to councillors, with deputy mayor Rehette Stoltz chairing that part of the meeting.

Mrs Stoltz questioned whether it was right that Gisborne District Sister Cities, which had a small budget, should fund two visitors, but Mr Foon said that had been confirmed.

Recommendations asking for another councillor, funded by the council, to accompany the mayor, was amended to the councillor funding the trip.

Several councillors said the absence of costings among the recommendations was disappointing.

One such councillor was Andy Cranston, who said he was interested in travelling to Mahina at his own expense.

The council will invite other members of Gisborne District Sister Cities, Te Ha 1769 Sestercentennial Trust and Uawanui to make the trip, also at their own expense.

Mr Foon will visit Mahina in July.

That month features festivities based around culture and heritage, and “will be an opportunity” to strengthen ties between the sister cities, the invitation says.