Why Exchanges Matter

International exchanges are more than just visits—they are the foundation of strong, lasting relationships between communities across the world. Whether part of a formal sister city agreement or an informal partnership, exchanges foster mutual understanding, friendship, and trust, creating pathways for education, culture, business, and investment.

Many of New Zealand’s 200+ sister city and friendship city relationships started with simple cultural or educational exchanges. Over time, these interpersonal connections evolved into economic partnerships, leading to trade agreements, investment, and business collaborations. Just like in business, trust and friendship come first—and that trust is built through meaningful exchange.

Exchange Opportunities

Eastern Bridge has been facilitating exchanges since 2014, acting as an outsourced foreign affairs office for local councils and organizations. We work with local governments, iwi, and community groups to bring exchanges to life—whether it’s sports, education, culture, governance, or business.

Some of the Exchanges We’ve Facilitated:

• Sports exchanges – NZ rugby teams visiting China, basketball tournaments with Asian teams.
• School & youth exchanges – Study abroad opportunities, reciprocal school visits.
• Cultural & art exchanges – Museum partnerships, artist-in-residence programs, digital art showcases.
• Government & policy exchanges – Local government staff learning from their counterparts overseas.
• Media tours & journalism exchanges – Showcasing NZ stories to international audiences.

These programs create real impact—they strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and open new doors for collaboration.

Get Involved

Are you an individual looking to participate in an exchange? Or are you a local council, iwi, or community organization wanting to establish one?

Eastern Bridge helps connect the dots, facilitate logistics, and ensure success. Whether it’s a one-off program or an ongoing partnership, we’re here to make it happen.