From Montana to Manawatū, Missoula visit celebrates 44-Year friendship
Published on 23 February 2026
Palmerston North rolled out a warm Manawatū welcome this week for a visiting delegation from our long-standing US sister city, Missoula, Montana.
The delegation, led by Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis, spent the week exploring Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū region, culminating in a ceremony on Sunday to celebrate the refreshed Missoula Reserve in Kelvin Grove.
Mayor Davis noted the strong similarities between the two cities.
“We’re both riverside university cities, surrounded by mountains, with an outdoorsy culture but economically, we’re also hubs. Missoula is a distribution centre, just like Palmerston North, and it’s been really helpful to see the successes you’ve had here.”
She said the cities also share common challenges, including housing affordability, supporting people facing economic hardship and responding to climate change.
“This kind of sub-national diplomacy really matters,” Mayor Davis said. “We can exchange ideas, policy approaches and experiences that help strengthen our communities. And it’s powerful to know we have friends on the other side of the world, working alongside us in spirit and partnership.”
The delegation from Missoula enjoyed a tour of Te Manawa
During their stay, delegation members were hosted by local families, adding a personal dimension to the visit. Mayor Davis said this was the first time a sitting Missoula mayor had visited Palmerston North and described the experience as deeply meaningful.
“Our time here has been superb, just superb,” she said. “We’ve received such warmth and hospitality, and I’ve learned so much already. My homestay with your Deputy Mayor has been wonderful, I really feel like part of the family.”
Palmerston North and Missoula have been sister cities since 1982, a relationship that began with academic exchanges between Massey University and the University of Montana. Over the years, the partnership has grown to include cultural exchanges, trade visits, indigenous connections and shared student programmes.
Palmerston North City Mayor Grant Smith says the visit was a great opportunity to show Missoula’s mayor and the rest of the group what makes our city unique.
“It’s been really special to welcome our friends here and share the best of Palmy, from our lively city centre to standout spots across the wider region. We’ve showcased Te Utanganui, our fast-growing logistics and distribution hub, and highlighted the innovative, future-focused industries that proudly call Palmy home.
“We were also able to share a true taste of Kiwi hospitality, exploring the NZ Rugby Museum, wandering through the Feilding Farmers’ Market, and gathering for a true Kiwi barbeque at Caccia Birch House. Those moments of connection matter just as much as the meetings.”
Mayor of Missoula Andrea Davis enjoys a good old Kiwi barbeque at Caccia Birch House
He says the trip also included discussions with local leaders and community members about business, technology, tourism, and ways to keep our cities great places to live, work, and visit.
“In many ways, our cities are very similar. It’s inspiring to see how closely our priorities align and how much we all care about our communities. Spending time with our friends from Missoula has shown the value and warmth of our long-standing connection and has strengthened our ties for the future.”
The delegation included representatives from Downtown Missoula Partnership, which represents and supports local businesses; Destination Missoula, the city’s tourism promotion agency; the University of Montana’s Native American Centre; and Arts Missoula.
Their visit was funded through a Public Diplomacy Grant awarded by the U.S. Embassy to Palmerston North City Council, enabling the visitors to gain a deeper understanding of our city, while exploring new opportunities for economic collaboration, particularly in the tourism sector.
The trip concluded on Sunday with a community ceremony at Missoula Reserve, which has recently been upgraded with new children’s play equipment and refreshed landscaping. The event also featured the unveiling of a carved bench to commemorate the visit and long-held friendship between the cities.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, David Gehrenbeck; Rangitāne Kaumatua, Wiremu Te Awe Awe; Mayor of Palmerston North, Grant Smith and Mayor of Missoula, Andrea Davis planted a tree to commemorate the visit at the reopening of Missoula Reserve in Kelvin Grove.