The historic property in Le Quesnoy that is earmarked for development into a New Zealand Memorial Museum.
The historic manor house rear side
Waipā will send two representatives to France – mayor Susan O’Regan and Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley – to the opening of the New Zealand Museum and Visitor Centre in Le Quesnoy.
The two will be the district’s delegation to the event later this year. Cambridge has had a sister city relationship with Le Quesnoy since 2000.
The community board has had the responsibility of managing the relationship but does not have the delegated authority to approve overseas travel.
Waipā council granted $150,000 to support the establishment of the museum in Le Quesnoy which will open in October.
While other allies in Australia, Canada and South Africa all built their own museums and visitor centres on the Western Front post World War I, New Zealand has not.
More than 100 years since the end of the war, there is no dedicated place in Europe that tells stories of New Zealand’s participation in both world wars.
Travel costs will be covered for the mayor and Community Board chair. Any other Waipā elected members who want to attend must pay their own costs.
Staff presented the paper to council this week so they could take advantage of flight prices before they increase.
