Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland

03/06/2026

【Courtesy Call on Mayor of Shinagawa City】
On 2 June, Consul General Suguru MINOYA paid a courtesy call on Mayor Kyoko MORISAWA of Shinagawa City and exchanged views on friendship-city exchanges with Auckland, and future cooperation.
Shinagawa City has maintained exchanges with Auckland since 1993. Mayor MORISAWA visited Auckland in 2024 to mark the 30th anniversary of exchanges between Shinagawa and Auckland. The city also supports annual language-study programmes in Auckland organised by the Shinagawa International Friendship Association.

【品川区長表敬訪問】
6月2日、箕谷次期総領事は、森澤恭子品川区長を表敬訪問し、オークランド市との友好都市交流や今後の協力について意見交換を行いました。
品川区は1993年以来オークランド市と交流活動を継続されており、2024年の30周年に森澤区長が同市を訪問されたほか、国際友好協会による学生の語学研修を支援しています。

03/06/2026

【Courtesy Call on Mayor of Saitama City】
On 2 June, Consul General Suguru MINOYA paid a courtesy call on Mayor Hayato SHIMIZU of Saitama City, together with City Council Chairperson Manabu ITO, Superintendent of the Board of Education Hideko TAKEI and other officials, and exchanged views on exchanges with Hamilton, Saitama’s sister city.

Saitama City has maintained exchanges with Hamilton for more than 40 years. In August this year, more than 70 students and teachers are scheduled to visit Hamilton. Mayor SHIMIZU shared his memories of visiting Hamilton two years ago and expressed his hopes for further exchanges, including in the field of sports, between the two cities.

【さいたま市長表敬訪問】
6月2日、箕谷次期総領事は、清水勇人さいたま市長、伊藤仕市議会議長及び竹居秀子教育長ほかを表敬訪問し、姉妹都市ハミルトン市との交流について意見交換しました。
さいたま市は40年以上にわたりハミルトン市との交流を続けており、今年8月には学生・教員を含む70名以上が同市を訪問する予定です。清水市長からは、2年前のハミルトン訪問時の思い出やスポーツはじめ交流促進への期待が語られました。

03/06/2026

On June 3rd, Acting Consul-General OTASHIRO and Ms SHIOTA, visited Papakura Marae to attend a meeting championing community diversity joined by Ms Naoe Hashimoto and Ms Migiwa Ozawa, fostering a strong representation from the Japanese community. This event was held at the kind invitation of Ms Anne Kendall QSM (Ngāi Tūhoe, Raukawa ki Tainui, Ngāti Tuwharetoa), Co-Chair at the NZ Māori Council.

Upon their arrival, Mr Tony Kake, CEO of Papakura Marae, and his dedicated team extended a warm welcome through a traditional pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), complete with a beautiful karanga (welcome call) and mihi (speech of greeting). Mr Kake provided insightful explanations of the "urban marae" concept and detailed the marae's extensive activities, which transcend traditional roles to include vital services in health, social welfare, and education.

The delegation had the pleasure of engaging in a meaningful exchange of views with representatives from diverse communities, including those of India, Lebanon, Finland, and Jordan, as well as distinguished fashion designer Mr Colin Morley.

Japanese companies have forged deep and extensive relationships with Māori iwi, businesses, and trusts across a wide range of sectors, including fishery, forestry, livestock farming, agriculture, hydropower, geothermal power, hydrogen production, and tourism. These economic ties, alongside cultural initiatives like rugby and various community activities, have significantly fostered mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand.

The Consulate-General of Japan is committed to continuing and promoting such invaluable activities in the future, working hand-in-hand with the Japanese community to further strengthen these bilateral bonds.

Ngā mihi nui!

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

On May 29th, Acting Consul-General OTASHIRO had the pleasure of attending the opening ceremony of the "2026 Karate New Zealand Open + Training Camp," organized by Karate New Zealand ( https://www.facebook.com/KarateNZ ). The event brought together top-tier Karatekas and coaches, offering invaluable insights and inspiration to Karatekas in the Indo-Pacific region. Among the notable karatekas present were:

• Kiyo Shimizu: Tokyo Olympics female Kata Silver Medalist
• Ayumu Uekusa: 7th Place at the Tokyo Olympics (Female Kumite)
• Antonio José Díaz: 5th Place at the Tokyo Olympics (Male Kata)
• Hiroto Shinohara: Kumite Asian Champion (Male Kumite)

In the evening, Ms OTASHIRO hosted a reception to celebrate the World Karate Federation ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100044273537496 )'s decision to organize the Karate 1 Youth League 2027 in Auckland, a highly anticipated global competition expected to draw 1,500 to 2,000 young athletes aged 12 to 20 from over 70 countries worldwide. This reception underscored the pivotal importance of the upcoming Karate One Youth organized by the League for youth development in karate, and we sincerely appreciate the supporters for the event.

In an era where many human activities are increasingly augmented or even substituted by artificial intelligence, the direct transfer of waza (技、techniques) and the shared joy of physical exertion through keiko (稽古、"the pleasure of sweating together") truly represent an invaluable treasure. Such events underscore the enduring importance of human connection, disciplined effort, and the tangible transmission of skills that define martial arts.

Adding to the success of the reception, Chef Kitazono prepared a selection of finger foods specifically suited for athletes, emphasizing rich protein and low fat content. Beverages served included Awamori (泡盛) liqueur, a unique spirit originating from Okinawa Prefecture, the birthplace of Karate-do.

The Consulate-General of Japan remains committed to fostering and celebrating these invaluable cultural ties between Japan and New Zealand.

29/05/2026

On May 29th, Acting Consul-General OTASHIRO had the pleasure of participating in the "Talking Culture" event, held at the Fujifilm NZ House of Photography as part of the esteemed Auckland Festival of Photography. It was a privilege to meet with distinguished photographers from around the world, including notable representatives from Japan:

• Ms Hideko Kataoka: A renowned Photo Editor, Curator, and Educator. As the former Director of Photography at Newsweek Japan, she was instrumental in creating the 'Picture Power' section, a weekly photojournalism essay.

• Ms Naoko Ohta: President and CEO of Klee Inc., a company providing a wide range of art-related services. M. Ohta also serves as the Executive Director of the Karuizawa Foto Festival in Japan.

The Auckland Festival of Photography, an integral platform for visual arts, is expertly organized by its Founder and CEO, Ms Julia Durkin. The Festival is notably a member of the Asia Pacific Photo Forum, an international consortium of professional photography festivals that includes the Higashikawa International Photo Festival in Japan. Such global collaborations highlight the power of photography in strengthening international networks and facilitating the dissemination of diverse artworks. The Consulate-General of Japan remains committed to fostering and celebrating these invaluable cultural ties between Japan and New Zealand.

https://photographyfestival.org.nz/
https://photo-town.jp/en
https://www.asiapacificphotoforum.com/index.html

19/05/2026

On 18 May, we were delighted to pay a visit to Mairangi Bay School!

Students had a fantastic time immersing themselves in Japanese culture — from wearing traditional yukata (Japanese casual summer kimono) and exploring traditional Japanese toys, to discovering Paro the robot and folding their own paper airplanes. We sincerely hope this visit inspires a growing appreciation and enthusiasm for Japan among the students.

Interested in bringing this kind of cultural experience to your school? Learn more about our school visit programs and how to apply:
https://www.auckland.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/education.html

18/05/2026

Hamilton, New Zealand – Acting Consul-General OTASHIRO visited Hamilton City on May 18th. The visit focused on engaging with the vibrant Japanese communities in the Waikato region, which is home to over 800 Japanese residents.

The visit began at the University of Waikato, where she attended a presentation by Dr Keiko Umeda on the current state of Japanese language and cultural studies. A memorable moment included a photo taken in front of the university’s emblematic marae (traditional Māori meeting house).

Acting Consul-General OTASHIRO then held a meeting with representatives of the Waikato Japanese Community Trust at the meeting room of the Waikato Trust. The Trust's diverse activities range from cultural pursuits like origami and Japanese language classes to sports such as volleyball, effectively fostering community engagement and outreach. Their invaluable contribution to the sister city exchange between Hamilton and Saitama City was particularly highlighted, underscoring the strong grassroots ties.

These robust people-to-people exchanges are steadily and actively enriching the Waikato region, which serves as a vital economic hub for the North Island's supply chain. The Consulate-General of Japan is committed to supporting these invaluable efforts, further strengthening the bonds between Japan and New Zealand.

17/05/2026

New Zealand x Japan : Seasonal Delicacies by the Official Chef of the Consulate-General, Chef Kitazono

Roast Lamb Loin Coated with Horopito and Paprika, Summer Vegetables

Carefully roasted New Zealand lamb, a signature local ingredient, is coated with a crust of Māori spice "Horopito" and fragrant paprika. Served with zucchini, carrot, and flat beans, it showcases the vibrant colours of early summer. Accompanied by a jus made from the lamb bones, this dish highlights the rich blessings of New Zealand.

For more of Chef Kitazono's activities, take a look here: https://www.auckland.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/chef_list.html

ニュージーランド x 日本 : 北園公邸料理人による季節の逸品

ホロピトとパプリカを纏った仔羊のロースト　夏野菜

NZを代表する食材である仔羊を丁寧にロティし、マオリスパイスのホロピトと香ばしいパプリカを合わせたクルートを纏わせました。
ズッキーニ、人参、フラットビーンを添え、初夏らしい彩りを表現しています。
仔羊の骨から引いたジュを合わせ、ニュージーランドの恵みを生かした一皿に仕立てました。