I had the pleasure of presiding over the Citizenship Ceremony for 29 new Kaipara Citizens held at the beautiful Mangawhai Golf Club yesterday.
Having been led into the ceremony by Naval escort Lieutenant Commander Michael Smith, I witnessed the recitation of oaths or declarations from each of the new citizens before an audience of friends and family. Rachael Williams - KDC Councillor Kaiwaka - Mangawhai Ward was also in attendance to welcome our new citizens.
The new citizens originated from all across the world - England and the United Kingdom, Tonga, Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the Phillipines, India, Germany, Fiji, Czechoslovakia, Canada, Cambodia, Brazil and Australia.
Moving to a new country and making it ones permanent home is a courageous step in anyone's life. Coming to an amazing place such as Kaipara and being able to call it home is very much treasured and appreciated - a theme emphasised by a number of the new citizens who spoke at the ceremony.
A very big welcome to all our new Kiwis!
