From Canada to Samoa, eight people took the oath of New Zealand citizenship last month at a ceremony held in Martinborough Town Hall (the Waihinga Centre).
Mayor (Koromatua) Fran Wilde welcomed the new citizens at a ceremony which was opened with a mihi whakatau by Matua Gillies Baker, Kaiwhakarite o Papawai Marae and Chair of the Council’s Māori Partnership Committee.
Council Chief Executive Janice Smith invited each new citizen to receive certificates of citizenship with Mayor Wilde inviting them to read oaths or affirmations. A welcome message was played on video from the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Governor-General.
The new citizens come from Canada, Ireland, Samoa, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Many of their friends and family members (whanau) also attended.
Mayor Wilde congratulated the new citizens and thanked them for choosing to make Aotearoa New Zealand the place they call home. They were each gifted a kōwhai tree grown at Pae Tū Mokai o Tauira He Kōtare Native Plant Nursery in Featherston to symbolise the roots they are planting in Aotearoa New Zealand.
