New Kiwis take centre stage
Twenty people became New Zealand citizens on Monday during a ceremony officiated by Kahika Moko Tepania.
Twenty people became New Zealand citizens on Monday during a ceremony officiated by Kahika Moko Tepania.
Proud whānau and friends, as well as Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board chair Belinda Ward, and Russell-Ōpua Ward representative Jane Hindle, watched on at the Council Chambers in Kaikohe as the new Kiwis took an oath or affirmation to New Zealand and King Charles III.
Vaclav Fisher from the Czech Republic created the most memorable moment when he became the first person in the Far North to take their oath of allegiance in Te Reo Māori. This follows a directive from the Department of Internal Affairs last year asking local authorities to support new citizens who want to take the oath or affirmation in Te Reo during ceremonies.
Other new citizens choosing to make New Zealand and the Far North home came from the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Canada, Zimbabwe, South Africa, China, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Ukraine, Malaysia, and Croatia.
The new citizens also received a commemorative book from the Department of Internal Affairs. Choice (Whiriwhiria) - The New Zealand citizenship story includes stories of those who have chosen to become New Zealand citizens and has information on New Zealand citizenship.
Main photo: Our new citizens are welcomed by Far North Kahika Moko Tepania.
Below: Vaclav Fisher, with Kahika Tepania, is the first person to take their oath of allegiance in Te Reo Māori. Council Chambers in Kaikohe was packed for the Citizenship Ceremony on Monday 24 July.
