Waitaki welcomes new citizens - April 2026

Published on 15 April 2026

The third Citizenship Ceremony of the new triennium took place at Ōamaru Opera House on Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor Melanie Tavendale was joined by Councillors’ Hopkins, McCone, Lewis and Thelning to present citizenship certificates to twenty-three brand new New Zealanders from twelve different countries.

After a waiata by Council staff, the Mayor welcomed the attendees and their family and friends. Affirmations and oaths of citizenship were sworn by each family, and they were presented with a native hebe plant.

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke Van Velden and the NZ Governor-General, Her Excellency the Right Hon Cindy Kiro then appeared in a welcome video to the new citizens.

Council staff then led all present in a rendition of the National Anthem, before group photos were taken on the staircase of the Ōamaru Opera House.

Waitaki District Mayor Melanie Tavendale said, “It’s an important and special part of my role as Mayor to formally acknowledge those who’ve chosen New Zealand as their home. Our district is growing, and diversifying, and it’s thanks to people choosing Waitaki as a place to raise their families.”

The new citizens are Mercy Viejo Martinez (Philippines), Suraj Manickum (India), May-Lanie Pasugnod Carbonel, Ronald Reyes Carbonel, Maria Atheena Louise Pasugnod Carbonel (Philippines), Aaron Louie Pasugnod Carbonel (NZ minor), Lisona, Mosiana and Fakaanaua Ki Pulotu Teu (Tonga), Paea He Lotu Asi (Tonga), Rite Ase Adrienne Barrie (Sweden), Matthew William Barrie (England), Timothy James Buscall (England), Judith Ansbacher (Scotland), Loesi Vaaia (Tuvalu), Ismaeel Ahemn Salah Eldin Elsaka and Abdurahman Ahmed Salaheldin Elsaka (Ireland), Nesriun Alieldin Mohammed Nour Eldin Attia (Egypt), Maikale Romsemary Fifita and Tevita Fifita (Tonga), Emily Chen (China), Michaele Vokralova (Czechia) and Bradley Wheeler (Zimbabwe)

ENDS

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