Far North welcomes 38 new citizens from 19 nations

There were hugs of encouragement and tears of joy on Monday 23 March, as 38 new citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand from 19 different countries were officially sworn in at the Far North District Council Chambers in Kaikohe.

Kahika Moko Tepania, alongside Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, welcomed the new citizens, their friends, and their whānau to an emotional ceremony, which brought together people from across the globe.

The event began with a karakia by the council’s Te Hono Team before Kahika Tepania commenced the swearing‑in process.

New citizens were offered the opportunity to pledge their oath or affirmation in either English or te reo Māori, completing their journey to becoming New Zealand citizens.

Haruru resident Arddia Janet Kōwhai attended the ceremony with her adult children. She arrived in New Zealand from Manchester, England, at just five years old.

While becoming a citizen had always been important to her, she says raising a young whānau meant the timing was never quite right.

“It’s taken me fifty-nine and half years to do this because other things had always taken priority,” Kōwhai says.

“Now that my kids have grown up, it’s my time, so I decided to get it done and am really proud to have done this today.”

This week’s citizenship ceremony was the first of four quarterly events planned for 2026.

Along with their citizenship certificates, new citizens received a native plant grown and donated by the Northland Region Corrections Facility as a gesture of welcome and goodwill.

Kahika Tepania says this was his thirteenth citizenship ceremony, and it remains a privilege to take part.

He says he always gets “the feels” at these events and feels fortunate that so many people have chosen to call the Far North their home.

“It’s been really beautiful to swear in 38 new citizens at our Council Chambers here in Kaikohe today,” he says.

“I think sometimes for us born here in New Zealand, we take for granted how important having New Zealand citizenship is.

“Some of these people have been waiting decades, so it really makes you appreciate what it means to be a New Zealand citizen.”

Kohepu Rudkin, who presented the native plants, says it was a beautiful ceremony for all involved.

“It’s really special that these people have chosen Te Tai Tokerau to be their new home, ngā mihi koutou.”

The ceremony concluded with a closing karakia, followed by a shared hākari for new citizens and their supporters.

The countries represented at the Citizenship Ceremony included: India, Czech Republic, USA, UK, Zimbabwe, Germany, Canada, Philippines, France, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Samoa, Argentina, Scotland, Cambodia, Brazil, Australia, Thailand and Fiji.

To become a New Zealand citizen, applicants must fulfil several requirements including having lived in New Zealand as a resident for a minimum of five years, be of good character and be able to hold a basic conversation in English. Go to the New Zealand Government website to find out more.

In  2025, a total of 257 new citizens were welcomed to the Far North.

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Hear from our new citizens about what citizenship means to them.