Ninety-four people proudly became Kiwis at a Waipā citizenship ceremony in Te Awamutu on Friday.
Family and friends gathered to celebrate the milestone, which was led by Waipā Mayor Mike Pettit.
The new citizens come from 16 different countries across the globe, including South Africa, Turkey, India, United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Mayor Pettit highlighted the importance of the occasion.
“Becoming a New Zealander is more than filling out forms. It’s about choosing to be part of a community, joining in its life, and sharing in its future.”
“Each of you makes our district stronger, livelier, and more connected.”
As part of the ceremony, each family received a native pikopiko seedling, symbolising the roots they have put down in the Waipā community.
Cambridge resident Reshma Paranjpe, who moved from India with her husband in 2008, was thrilled to officially become a citizen. “The community here feels like family to us, we have always felt so welcomed,” she said.
Lenka Feisst, originally from the Czech Republic, recalled her first impressions of Cambridge eight years ago.
“I remember thinking how beautiful the town was, and that it was somewhere I could settle down,” she said. “Since then, I’ve met my partner, we’ve bought a house and had two children here.”
Martin Barratt, who moved from England in 2009, said Waipā quickly felt like home.
“The agriculture and dairy farming in Waipā reminds me a lot of home. It’s a wonderful place to live,” he said.
This ceremony was the first of four citizenship ceremonies Waipā District Council will host this year across Cambridge and Te Awamutu, with the remaining three scheduled for June, September, and November.
