From 5 to 7 July 2022, city officials from Vilnius, Lithuania, visited New Plymouth / Taranaki in New Zealand to further explore their cooperation topics (urban / mobility) and better understand the host city’s context for urban development. This is the first time that New Zealand has been part of the IURC programme, and this was the first visit by an EU city delegation. The 3-day programme included meetings with New Plymouth District Council (Taranaki 2050 roadmap to a low emissions future), research centres (Ara Ake future energy centre, Western Institute of Technology), as well as with several energy and mobility companies (Hiringa for hydrogen infrastructure, First Gas, Nova Energy Solar Farm, Port Taranaki, etc).
Four collaboration projects have been agreed for further cooperation in the areas of hydrogen energy infrastructure, circular economy, citizens’ engagement and neighbourhood placemaking.
