It gives me pleasure to welcome you to Hutt City and New Zealand for your Kiwi rugby experience.
I want to also welcome you to Hutt Minoh Friendship House. The house is a tangible sign of the sister city relationship between Hutt City and Minoh City, a relationship that is very important to us, and one that we value and treasure.
Hutt City is very excited to host your visit. It is the first of what we hope will be many such rugby exchanges from Japan. It continues the rugby relationship between our two countries, which includes All Black great John Kirwan coaching Japan, a side that includes a number of New Zealanders, as well as many Kiwis playing in your Top League.
Every year Japan also plays either NZ Maori or NZ A in the Pacific Nations Cup. This year Japan played very well, continuing the impressive form they showed at the Rugby World Cup in France and Wales.
Rugby is very strong in Hutt City. It is the home town of former All Black captain Tana Umaga and other All Blacks both past and present. Many players represent the Wellington Lions and Hurricanes. Our club sides are among the best in the Wellington region. And Council is to upgrade our main rugby ground to meet the standard required for a playing surface to be used as a Rugby World Cup training venue in 2011.
So you have come to the right place to continue your rugby education. I hope that you enjoy your stay with us and take home very happy memories of your time in Hutt City and New Zealand.
I realise you have a very busy programme, but if you find time I invite you to enjoy a few of the activities and attractions our city has to offer: shopping at Westfield Queensgate and the centre of the city; Experience Stansborough, makers of costumes from Lord of the Rings; and, Maori Treasures, with its fine collection of Maori arts and crafts, just to name a few.
In finishing, I want to thank you all for choosing Hutt City and New Zealand for your rugby experience. As I said, we are excited to host you, and we hope to see you again – maybe even as soon as the 2011 World Cup either as fans, or even better, as players and coaches of Japan’s mighty Cherry Blossoms.
Thank you.