The fourth Citizenship Ceremony of the new triennium took place at Ōamaru Opera House on Tuesday afternoon.
Mayor Melanie Tavendale was joined by Councillors Frans Schlack, John McCone, Jeremy Holding and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Ryan to present citizenship certificates to twenty-three brand new New Zealanders from twelve different countries.
After a waiata by the Ōamaru Intermediate School Kapa Haka group, 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.
The Kapa Haka group 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 Erlinda Francisco Torrico (Philippines), Raymundo Capito Torrico (Philippines), Daniel Dwight Torrico (New Zealand, minor), Elizabeth Marie Barrington-Wright (England), Julia Dawn Barrington-Wright (England), Kris William Nombalang (New Zealand), Kris Jay Takinan Nombalang (Philippines), Delia Allaga Nombalang (Philippines), Karl Wesley Nombalang (New Zealand), Krizelle Frankie Nombalang (New Zealand), Benjamin Callum Devereux (United Kingdom), Tamara Aldecoa Revilla (Spain), Chinthaka Jayadun De Silva Yagama (Sri Lanka), Batukandage Pramodi Shilshara Gunathilaka (Sri Lanka), Rowena Concepcion Steel (Philippines), Russell William Walker (Australia), Joseph Wagenaar (South Africa), Kitione Vaka ‘longi (Tonga), Kitione Vaka ‘longi (Tonga, minor), Ava Henze (New Zealand, minor), Ezra Henze (New Zealand, minor), Justin Heinrich Henze (South Africa), Henrietta Jane Purvis (United Kingdom).