Waitaki welcomes new citizens

Published on 15 May 2025

Waitaki welcomed thirty of the newest New Zealand citizens on Tuesday this week at the second Citizenship Ceremony of 2025, held at the Oamaru Opera House.

The new citizens hailed from eight different nations; the United States, the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Germany, Thailand and Tonga.

They were hosted by Mayor Gary Kircher accompanied by Councillors Holding and Ryan. After a welcome from Mayor Kircher, each new citizen were sworn in to read out their oath or affirmation before being presented with a native hebe plant.

Attendees then viewed a welcome video from Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke Van Velden and Her Excellency The Right Hon Cindy Kiro, New Zealand Governor-General. Waiata and the National Anthem were sung by students of Fenwick School.

Waitaki’s newest citizens are; Kelly Breeze, Jennifer Cameron, Daryl Chuca, Vernon, Melissa and Michaela Coetzee, Chase Costell, Mesil De La Cruz, Chloe Lodge, Sadie Mason, Lisa, Tamsin and Douglas McCarter, Christell Moolman, Dina, Adones and Jethro Oclarit, John Robinson, Manuel Rohkamp, Rasa Salakij, Elizabeth Thomas, Sefolonia and Vahaakolo Tohi, Sosefo, Telesia, Selaima, Sosaia and Saimone Toutai.