A sister city relationship is to be set up between the Waitaki district and Douglas County in Nevada.
The idea was initiated by the gliding pilot owner of Glide Omarama, Gavin Wills, in September and yesterday was formally adopted by the Waitaki District Council.
Mr Wills' idea was based on similarities between the two areas, particularly Minden, in Douglas County, and Omarama, in the Waitaki district, both world gliding centres.
How big the link-up will be will depend on discussions by video conference between local body officials in both areas.
Douglas County and Minden have already agreed to a sister city relationship.
Yesterday, the Waitaki council also did, but left it open as to whether that should be between the whole county and district, or between the Omarama and Minden areas.
Mr Wills has regularly visited Minden (population 2500) in Douglas County (50,000 people) for the past 12 years to fly gliders and teach cross-country soaring.
He has been struck by the similarities between the two areas - not just as gliding centres attracting pilots from around the world, but in the geography, population, activities and rural-based atmosphere.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton described the sister city proposal as positive, with potential and not costly.
• Temporary liquor bans will again be introduced in Waitaki Valley towns over Christmas and New Year.
Omarama and Otematata will have the bans in force within the urban boundaries of their towns from 9pm on December 24 to 6am on January 3.
A single "committee of the whole" of council, which replaces the five main committees of the previous council, will be chaired by deputy mayor Jim Hopkins.
The council also appointed Cr Cathy Dennison as his deputy.
