Moving to Rotorua has opened up a "world of opportunities" for the Vivero family who are now all New Zealand citizens.
Three members of the family, from the Philippines, were granted New Zealand citizenship at a ceremony at Rotorua District Council yesterday, along with 28 other people.
Leonardo and his wife, Joy, said they were thrilled to become citizens after living here for more than seven years.
"We're very very happy here. Rotorua is such a great place to live. The people are so friendly; they all look out for each other.
"We couldn't imagine living anywhere else."
Mr Vivero said Rotorua was a wonderful place to bring up their daughter Kate, a pupil at St Mary's Primary School, and their 1-year-old son who was born here so was already a citizen.
"There are so many opportunities for our children in Rotorua, it's the perfect place to raise them. I know they're going to have a great and safe childhood here."
Mr Vivero said his life in New Zealand was a huge contrast to the one he led in the Philippines and later in the Middle East, where he worked for nine years.
He works at Unison, while Mrs Vivero recently completed her nursing degree at Waiariki Institute of Technology.
"We used to think of it [Rotorua] as our second home, but now it's just home."
Mr Vivero wished to thank everyone who had welcomed him and his family into the community with "open arms".
Yesterday's ceremony was conducted by Mayor Steve Chadwick and cultural ambassador Trevor Maxwell.
Students from Rotorua Primary School welcomed the new citizens with a series of Maori songs and a haka.
Others to get their citizenship hailed from England, India, Fiji, Philippines, South Africa, China, Thailand and Sri Lanka.