News Release 

Monday 21 June 2010 

Rotorua District Council hosting hundreds of young Americans

ROTORUA 21.06.10:  More than 600 young Americans will descend on Rotorua over the next few weeks.

Rotorua District Council’s (RDC) annual involvement with the People to People Ambassador Programme begins at the weekend.

Over a five week period 15 groups each of around 44 American teenagers will spend time in Rotorua, with the first group arriving on Saturday [26 June] and the last at the end of July.

RDC community services officer Sue White says every year since 1992 the mayor and councillors have taken time to welcome these student groups to Rotorua at receptions in the council Civic Centre.

“The students are given a brief overview of how local government works in New Zealand, followed by questions and answers,” says Mrs White.

“Question time can be pretty intense. Most of these young people are quite clued up on New Zealand as it’s an expected part of their preparation prior to each trip.”

Groups also experience Rotorua culture during their four day stays, which usually include a night on a marae, a night in a hotel, and a night in Tui Ridge Park.

“They explore many of the city’s tourist attractions and add a real spark to the city in our mid-winter period. And of course they give the local economy a substantial boost as well.”

The People to People movement was founded in 1956 by former American president Dwight D. Eisenhower. He advocated that direct interaction between ordinary citizens around the world can promote cultural understanding and world peace.

[ENDS]

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