Taiwanese group enjoys a warm Rotorua welcome

WELCOME: A delegation from the Taiwanese Council of Indigenous Peoples led by Lin Chiang-Y (centre) was welcomed to Rotorua at the district council building on Thursday. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 200214BF6

They may be from thousands of kilometres across the ocean, but an indigenous mayoral delegation from Taiwan felt right at home in Rotorua.

On Thursday, Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick welcomed the 42-strong Taiwanese Council of Indigenous Peoples delegation to the city.

The group received a traditional pohiri, led by Rotorua District Council kaupapa Maori director Mauriora Kingi and cultural ambassador Trevor Maxwell, before being shown a presentation on council- and business-related activities which involved Maori.

The delegation had a particular interest in Maori culture as well as Maori business, education, tourism and local government administration.

The delegation's ultimate aim was to build an understanding of Te Ao Maori (the Maori world) among Taiwanese indigenous people.

Taiwanese Council of Indigenous Peoples Minister Lin Chiang-Y said he was happy his ancestors had found such a beautiful place to live.

Genetic research in the middle of last decade confirmed biological links between the indigenous people of Taiwan and the Maori people of New Zealand.

"It is lovely to meet our brothers and sisters from thousands of years ago ... we believe we share a common language and culture with Maori," Mr Lin said through an interpreter.

"In future, we will develop even closer family ties and relationships with you."

Indigenous Taiwanese also face some of the same issues as Maori when it comes to the preservation of their language and customs.

In Taiwan, this is due to the introduction of the Chinese and Japanese languages and cultures.

The delegation's visit was also linked to the ANZTEC agreement (Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu on Economic Co-operation) which came into force in December 2013.

Part of the agreement relates specifically to the promotion of cultural and business exchanges between the indigenous peoples of New Zealand and Taiwan.

The visit was arranged with help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.