Nagaizumi-cho student visit Whanganui District Council for 30th anniversary of sister city partnership.
Video Stuart Munro
Cheerful music begins to play, hands start clapping to the rhythm and voices begin to sing along softly in a rendition of It's A Small World After All.
In this version, the lyrics aren't sung entirely in English, some of the verses are sung in Japanese by the 15 studentsstood in formation inside the Whanganui District Council.
They have been in Whanganui since Saturday, visiting from sister city Nagaizumi-cho in Japan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the partnership between the two cities.
Deputy mayor Jenny Duncan, chief executive Kym Fell, group co-ordinator Natasha McKee and sister city association members Emiko Tsuchiya and Shogo Hizawa watch on.
McKee says that the 12 and 13-year-old students were hosted by Whanganui Girls' College and Whanganui High School.
"On Monday and Tuesday they were hosted by the schools. They were in lessons with Kiwi students, they were involved in sport, cooking and Māori cultural lessons," McKee said.
"It was a reciprocal learning opportunity. It was really good for the Kiwi students to engage with students from Japan and learn about Japanese customs."
Students from Whanganui's sister city Nagaizumi-cho enjoyed taking in Bushy Park, Canaan Honey House and the Sarjeant Gallery during their visit. Photo / Stuart Munro
On Thursday the students went on a full day excursion.
"We went to Bushy Park, the Canaan Honey House on Mosston Rd and the Sarjeant Gallery where they had an art workshop and made their own souvenir bags," McKee said.
"They really enjoyed the honey farm because they got a demonstration and that was the first time they ever saw a beekeeper in all of his safety gear."
Last night the students had a farewell party at Whanganui High School and spent some time at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy before flying out today.
When the singing finishes, some upbeat music begins to play and traditional Japanese dress flies in all directions as the students begin performing a well-rehearsed routine.
They receive a round of applause at conclusion. Duncan welcomes them all and explains the pictures of mayors along the walls and what the glass art inside represents.
In response, retired teacher Hizawa thanked the speakers.
"Thank you very much, I am very happy to have the opportunity to give my best to the people who have just spoken," Hizawa said.
"Yesterday we went to Bushy Park and in the van, the students talked about their host families.
"They talked about the food and the hosts and they were very happy with the friendly and kind atmosphere."
A group of adults from Nagaizumi-cho will visit Whanganui next. They are planning to travel over in January next year and to compete in the 2019 New Zealand Masters Games.
