The Japan Society of Hawke’s Bay was established in 1961 to foster friendship and understanding between Japan and New Zealand. Our mission is to organise activities, provide services for our members, and strengthen cultural and community ties between the two nations.

Before COVID-19, we supported a Japanese Conversation Class, run by our members and open to anyone with an interest in the language. We also help host events that celebrate and showcase the close relationship between Japan and New Zealand.

Since 1980, Napier has shared a sister-city relationship with Tomakomai. Each year, two students from Tomakomai visit Hawke’s Bay, and the Society plays an active role in welcoming them, introducing them to our region, and sharing the Kiwi way of life.

History
The society was initiated by Paul Knight who was a teacher at Napier Boys’ High School at the time. He had struck up friendships with the Japanese seamen aboard log-freighters that arrived at Napier Port and began learning Japanese with them in 1961.
When Paul realised there were a number of local people interested in meeting with Japanese visitors, he set up a gathering and later formed the society.

In July 2021, the Society celebrated its 60th anniversary with public events such as a sake and Japanese gin tasting and a Studio Ghibli film fundraiser. Founding members and community from far and wide joined the celebrations.

It marked 40 years of the Napier–Tomakomai sister‑city relationship in April 2020, another key milestone supported by the Society