About Us

The Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association builds a valuable international connection through a wide range of activities. One of the Association goals is to broaden awareness of our New Zealand Sister City in Seattle through the building and installation of exhibits and artifacts in areas of our most visited public places.

One of the Association’s goals is to create an awareness of New Zealand in Seattle through the building and installation of exhibits and artifacts at popular public places and attractions including the Woodland Park Zoo’s Kea exhibit, the Arboretum’s glade of New Zealand plants, trees and shrubs and the Burke Museum’s Maori Art Exhibit.

Progress can be seen at Woodland Park Zoo with the kea exhibit. Keas are colorful New Zealand parrots common in the mountain areas of the Southern Alps.

The Association sponsors a glade of New Zealand plants, trees and shrubs at the University of Washington Arboretum. We call out for volunteers in the Autumn for a work party to help weed and mulch our New Zealand Garden to keep it looking spiffy!  In addition, there is a Māori name Ōtautahi, art exhibit at the Burke Museum.

We are eager to capitalize on our links with the City of Christchurch and parallel sister group in New Zealand, the Christchurch-Seattle Committee. This is a local group for Americans living in Christchurch. In conjunction with our friends in New Zealand, we arrange quarterly meetings between our two organizations to continue building ties and finding ways for our two cities to connect with arts, activities, and sciences. 

Check out our Calendar Page for upcoming scheduled activities.

Started in 1979 by Ken and Rachel Jacobsen, the New Zealanders of Seattle is a social group for New Zealanders and those either connected to or interested in New Zealand, who are living in the wider Seattle area. The group meets multiple times a year.

In February, we celebrate Waitangi Day on the Saturday afternoon nearest to February 6th.  We usually meet in a pub, talk, eat and drink. For the past several years, it has been held at the Kangaroo and Kiwi Bar in Seattle/Ballard —they serve meat pies and other good New Zealand food!

In April we commemorate ANZAC DAY on or around the Sunday closest to April 25th. Over the past few years, we have also gathered on Saturday evening with the Turkish and Australian communities of Seattle for a dinner of remembrance and in honor of the ill-fated ANZAC campaign in Gallipoli, Turkey.  On Sunday morning we hold a DAWN SERVICE on the steps of MOHAI, on the south end of Lake Union.

In July we have a summer picnic at the in Lake Sammamish State Park - for the entire family - which has been a great success.  Everyone brings a salad or dessert to share, and we have access to grills.  People play tug-o-war, cricket, games for the kids and adults, or just chat...and there is a Lolly Scramble with New Zealand sweets (lollies) especially for our kids!!

In October we have two fun events: a garden clean-up party at the New Zealand gardens at the Seattle Arboretum and an Annual Dinner Celebration at the Seattle Yacht Club, a great way to meet other New Zealanders and Americans in a festive environment.

Throughout the year, we also try to facilitate other gatherings like coffee catchups and alumni events.

Please check out our Events Page for all upcoming scheduled events. In addition to this, you can visit our Membership Page to become a member of the Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association with the New Zealanders of Seattle.

We'd love to have you join us.