29 June 2006

Talk your way to Japan in contest

Secondary students are encouraged to enter the Unitec New Zealand and Auckland City Japanese Speech Contest, with two fortunate students to win a trip to Japan.

The contest is open to all Year 12 and 13 students with entries closing 28 July and the event to be held at Unitec New Zealand on Friday, 11 August.

One of last year's winners, Annie Phoebe, raved about the experience and said she learned a lot about Japanese culture and customs.

"I would like to thank Auckland City for giving me such a stunning opportunity, as well as Fukuoka City for looking after us so well," she said.

Auckland City will provide one winner for the Auckland-Fukuoka sister city prize of a 7 to 10-day trip to Fukuoka for a homestay and school experience. A second student will win a prize provided by Unitec New Zealand for a 10-day trip to Japan to participate in a special programme arranged by Fukuhara Gakuen, Unitec's sister institution in Kyushu.

Auckland City has sister agreements with five international cities on the Pacific Rim - Fukuoka, Busan, Guangzhou, Brisbane and Los Angeles. The Auckland-Fukuoka sister city agreement was signed in 1986 to develop mutual understanding and awareness between the cities, and increase the range of trade, cultural, educational, tourism and sporting opportunities for citizens of both cities.

ENDS

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