The Tatsuno Japanese Garden is located in Te Kūiti at the South end of Rora Street.   This Garden was established in 1998 as a gift to provide a permanent and tangible symbol of the importance of the Sister City relationship between the Waitomo District Community and the Tatsuno Town Council in Japan.

The garden has particular significance and importance with many aspects of the garden having important cultural meaning for Japanese people.  The plants in the garden are a combination of New Zealand native and Japanese plants.  They include Flowering Cherries, Wisteria, Maples, Hostas, Irises, Sacred Bamboo, Astelia, Flax, Bidibidi, Conifers, Azaleas, Camellias, and Helebores.

The structural features in the garden include Torii gate, Tsukabai-moyo (water basin), Azumaya (tea house), Gata – stone lantern called “yuki-mi-dohroh”, Yotsume gaki fence, and Pagoda – “Soh-toh”.

The establishment of our sister city relationship began when two World War II pilots; one from Tatsuno, Japan, Professor Kinase and Les Munro, from Waitomo, meet at a World War II reunion.

The two former enemies realised that both towns had several commonalities between them, the foremost of which is their fireflies and our glow worms, together with their shared war experience.

The first delegation came to Waitomo in March 1993 for informal discussions. On 30 March 1995 an agreement was officially signed at a ceremony held at the Te Kūiti Pā. 

The agreement outlines key factors; the promotion of friendship and goodwill together with the endeavour to encourage an understanding and awareness of the separate cultures and the exchange of ideas between our people and communities. This relationship has now celebrated 26 years.

Waitomo Sister City Incorporated Cultural Exchange 2025

Following a very successful information evening on Friday evening (16 August), applications are now open for the Waitomo Sister City Incorporated Cultural Exchange 2025

The Waitomo Sister City Inc is now inviting current (2024) Year 6 & 7 students to apply for their proposed cultural exchange to Tatsuno in June 2025.

They will be home-hosted by families of Tatsuno Junior High School students or members of the Tatsuno International Association. The students will participate in school life and community while in Tatsuno. As part of the exchange they will visit Tokyo Disneyland and enjoy the sights of Tokyo.

➡️Criteria to apply
1. Year 6 or 7 at time of application
2. Attend a school within the Waitomo District
3. Be able to fund airfares and personal expenses (approximately $3,000). This may be done individually or as a group
4. Have a good level of fitness, personal responsibility and ability to adapt
5. Be comfortable about being away from home
6. Be open to new and different experiences
7. Be available for an interview in September – date to be confirmed

➡️ How to apply
• Please write a letter, no more than one page in length explaining why you should be selected for this exchange and how this exchange would be beneficial. This must be handwritten by you.
• Provide your last two school progress reports.
• Please email to: [email protected] or deliver to the Customer Service Centre at 160 Rora St, Te Kūiti addressed to:
The Secretary, Waitomo Sister City Inc
• Ask your teacher to send a character reference directly to [email protected]

Completed applications (including the character reference) to be received by 1 September 2024.

➡️ Selection Process
• Applications will be considered and shortlisted to 12
• The 12 shortlisted will be interviewed by a panel
• 8 candidates will be selected through the interview process to participate in the exchange.