South Wairarapa District Council Mayor Martin Connelly and Chief Executive Officer Janice Smith welcomed 17 new citizens to Aotearoa New Zealand on Thursday 15 August at the Waihinga Centre in Martinborough.
Mayor Martin Connelly (fourth from left) welcomed 17 new citizens to Aotearoa, along with South Wairarapa District Council Chief Executive Officer Janice Smith
The ceremony began with the Mayor paying homage to the mana whenua, the first people to call Aotearoa their home. He then thanked Matua Abe from Kohunui Marae for his welcome.
The new citizens came from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Palestine, Saudia Arabia, Germany, the Philippines, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Fiji, Serbia, Switzerland and Sweden.
All were given a kowhai tree to plant as a mark of respect to the native flora of Aotearoa and to signify them planting their roots in this country. The young trees were cultivated at He Kōtare Native Nursery in Featherston, which is run by the Pae Tū Mōkai o Tauira charitable trust, which works to revitalise Wairarapa Moana.
Above: Putting their roots down in Aotearoa; all new ctizens received a young kowhai tree which was cultivated by He Kōtare Native Nursery in Featherston
“This is the first time I have welcomed new citizens from Saudia Arabia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Fiji, Serbia or Sweden. I am absolutely delighted to help you complete your journey to becoming a citizen here today,” said Mayor Connelly.
“On a personal note, it is also a special day for me. One of the new citizens is my wife, Tania, who came from Dublin many years ago and last year decided that she had left becoming a citizen far too long. We both know from first hand experience how difficult it can be to get citizenship. Congratulations to everyone who has managed it.”
The ceremony included 11 new citizens to the South Wairarapa as well as four from Carterton and two from Palmerston North.
Above: Mayor Martin Connelly welcomed 17 new citizens to Aotearoa at the Waihinga Centre in Martinborough
The new citizenship ceremony ended with a welcoming paramanawa (refreshments).
