Governor Gregoire Welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister to Washington

For Immediate Release: March 23, 2007

OLYMPIA - Governor Gregoire today welcomed New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark to Washington. Governor Gregoire invited the Prime Minister to visit Washington when they met during her trade mission to New Zealand in May 2006.

�Prime Minister Clark and I have built a strong working relationship and I am glad she took me up on my invitation to visit Washington,� said Governor Gregoire. �New Zealanders and Washingtonians share a commitment to protect the environment and share the natural beauty of our geography.�

While on her trade mission last year to New Zealand, Governor Gregoire met with Prime Minister Clark and other officials to discuss collaborations to prevent shoreline erosion and promote a culture of sustainability.

Seattle and Christchurch, New Zealand, recently celebrated their 25th anniversary as sister cities. The Seattle-Christchurch Sister City Association builds a valuable connection across the Pacific Ocean through a wide range of cultural and education exchanges.

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