Waitaki’s newest citizens welcomed at ceremony

Published on 09 February 2026

The first citizenship ceremony of 2026 was held at the Ōamaru Opera House on Wednesday 4 February.

Twenty-three citizens were welcomed by a waiata from Evah Hansen, before Mayor Mel Tavendale welcomed those receiving their citizenship and their families and friends.

Each citizen read their affirmation or oath, and was presented with their citizenship certificate by the Mayor and a native hebe plant by Councillors Dan Lewis, Frans Schlack and Sven Thelning.

Then a video from Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden and Her Excellency the Right Hon Cindy Kiro, New Zealand’s Governor-General welcomed the newly minted citizens before Evah Hansen sang the National Anthem, with those assembled joining her.

Mayor Mel Tavendale said: “To welcome those who’ve chosen to make New Zealand, and Waitaki, their home at these ceremonies is a special privilege. Becoming a citizen is a commitment to our country, and I want to recognise the contribution each of our new citizens and their families make to our community”

The twenty-three citizens hailed from; the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, Ukraine, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, India, United Kingdom, England, Thailand, Isle of Man, Zimbabwe and Tuvalu.

They are Oleksander Berezin and Olena and Oleksandra Berezina, Keri Cakaunibokola, Thomas Koentges, Vaiolupe and Timotei Leota, Celroy Mascarenhas, Roushaan Rafiuddin, Katherine Moiser, Olivia Morriss, Lowri O’Callaghan, Tanittha Osotjan, Chayapa Parinyapol, Tino and Kaneisi Pooi, Sarah Ramage, Hugh Brown, Mazvita, Andrew and Tendayi Rondozai, Pamela Vera, Silou Temoana and Kaitu Tevao.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz

Note: Where citizenship is named as New Zealand, this refers to a minor who was born in NZ to parents without permanent residency or citizenship, receiving their citizenship at the same time as their parents.