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Published on 16 August 2023
On Tuesday this week, Waitaki District Council co-hosted a formal Citizenship Ceremony with Te Rūnanga o Moeraki at the Moeraki Marae on Tenby Street. This is the third ceremony to have taken place in 2023.
The ceremony is an important step in becoming a New Zealand citizen. Overseas residents declare their allegiance to New Zealand and are presented with their citizenship, while being welcomed by the local community on behalf of all New Zealanders.
The new citizens were welcomed to the marae with a pōwhiri and waiata led by Upoko David Higgins and Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Justin Tipa. The ceremony, led by Mayor Gary Kircher, welcomed the participants and their families before the reading of affirmations and oaths. The six new citizens, hailing from the UK, Australia and the Phillipines, then received their citizenship certificates and were presented with a native Hebe plant.
Mayor Gary Kircher: “Citizenship ceremonies are special occasions and it’s a real privilege to be a part of a significant time in peoples lives. To have the ceremony at the Marae is important, we appreciate the hospitality and care shown by the Rūnanga”
Upoko David Higgins: “We’re pleased and humbled by the fact that we’ve had another ceremony here for new new Zealanders, I think it’s just wonderful”
Kurinui (Hampden) School also provided the school choir for a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.
The ceremony ended with the sharing of kai and korero, to complete the welcome for the new citizens.