Waitaki welcomed thirty of the newest New Zealand citizens on Tuesday this
week at the first Citizenship Ceremony of 2025, held at the Oamaru Opera
House.
The new citizens hailed from fourteen different nations; the United States, the
Philippines, Venezuela, Tonga, India, Nauru, Poland, Australia, Zimbabwe,
Canada, Indonesia, Ireland and Scotland.
They were hosted by Mayor Gary Kircher, Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele and
Councillors Holding, McCone, Ryan and Hopkins. After a welcome from Mayor
Kircher, each new citizen were sworn in to read out their oath or affirmation
before being presented with a native hebe plant.
Attendees then viewed a welcome video from Minister of Internal Affairs
Brooke Van Velden and Her Excellency The Right Hon Cindy Kiro, New Zealand
Governor-General.
Waiata and the National Anthem were sung by local school Te Pākihi o Maru.
Waitaki’s newest citizens are; Allisa Andersen, Denise Caponpon, Audrey Finot,
Mataiasi Halalele, Nofo Ika, Kalavi Ika, Ane Ika, Mo’ui Ika, Kapeli Ika, Liji Joseph,
Ayushi Kachhara, Susilia Kauapa, Jillienne Medina, Pheobe Teves, Justinya
Miller, Freyja Munro, Munyaradzi Ndhlovu, Rutendo Ndhlovu, Eden Ndhlovu,
Hope Neri, Stacey Pine, Reni Rajagukguk, Samsu Ramon, Mataele Sitake, Mepa
Sitake, Kaloni Sitake, Lilly Sitake, Laura Spring, Kevin Tonner and Danny Wolfe.