Waitaki Welcomes New Citizens

Published on 13 March 2025

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

The new citizens hailed from thirteen different nations; the United States, the Philippines, Venezuela, Tonga, India, Nauru, Poland, Australia, Zimbabwe, Canada, Indonesia, Ireland and Scotland.

They were hosted by Mayor Gary Kircher, Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele and Councillors Holding, McCone, Ryan and Hopkins. 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 local school Te Pākihi o Maru.

Waitaki’s newest citizens are; Allisa Andersen, Denise Caponpon, Audrey Finot, Mataiasi Halalele, Nofo Ika, Kalavi Ika, Ane Ika, Mo’ui Ika, Kapeli Ika, Liji Joseph, Ayushi Kachhara, Susilia Kauapa, Jillienne Medina, Pheobe Teves, Justinya Miller, Freyja Munro, Munyaradzi Ndhlovu, Rutendo Ndhlovu, Eden Ndhlovu, Hope Neri, Stacey Pine, Reni Rajagukguk, Samsu Ramon, Mataele Sitake, Mepa Sitake, Kaloni Sitake, Lilly Sitake, Laura Spring, Kevin Tonner and Danny Wolfe.