Waitaki welcomes newest citizens

Published on 21 August 2024

Waitaki welcomed 19 brand-new New Zealanders yesterday in a citizenship ceremony at the Oamaru Opera House.

The freshly minted citizens hailed from ten different nations; United Kingdom, Netherlands, USA, Tonga, India, South Africa, Fiji, Samoa, Phillipines and China.

They were welcomed with a waiata from the Maheno School Kapa Haka group.

The ceremony was led by Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher, supported by Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele and Councillor Rebecca Ryan. Each new citizen swore the oath and were presented with their Citizenship Certificate and a native Hebe plant as a welcoming gift.

The ceremony then showed a welcome video from Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, before attendees and students from Maheno School sang the National Anthem.

Mayor Kircher says: “Citizenship ceremonies are always very special for our community, as people commit their future to New Zealand. It’s a pleasure to welcome the newest New Zealanders, and their families with help from one of our local schools.”

The new citizens are: Lorraine Adams (UK), Jessica De Ridder (Netherlands), Paul and Pamela Jacobs (USA), Ekilau Le’ohau (Tonga), Staju Lukose, Sephrin Staju, Serah Staju, Daiki Thomas (India), Ryan Macklin (South Africa), Shakuntala and Sate Narayan (Fiji), Faranisoa Poasa and Sueseu Taefu (Samoa), Sonja Roco (Netherlands), Litisila Tuatonga (Tonga), Gareth Thomas (UK), Virginia Walker (Phillipines) and Chen Yang (China).

ENDS