Record number of new citizens welcomed to the Far North

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania welcomed 118 new citizens to Aotearoa New Zealand this week (Monday 30 June) during a ceremony he described as ‘the largest the region has ever seen’.

The events are held quarterly, and normally around 120 new citizens awarded a Certificate of Citizenship annually in the Far North. This week’s event held at Memorial Hall in Kaikohe almost achieved that total in one go!

The ceremony began with a karakia and waiata lead by the council’s Te Hono team, acknowledging the journey made by attendees and welcoming them to their new home. After delivering an oath or pledge of allegiance to King Charles III and New Zealand, recipients were awarded with their Certificate of Citizenship by Kahika Tepania, assisted by Kowhai Stratford and Councillor Halkyard-Harawira.

The new citizens hailed from France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Philippines, Germany, America, Fiji and Norway. Several long-standing residents of the Far North were also recognised and congratulated on officially becoming new citizens, some having lived for over 20 years in the district.

The ceremony concluded with the New Zealand national anthem and a welcome to New Zealand video message from Governor-General Cindy Kiro.

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Main image: Family and friends supporting their whanau becoming new citizens