Whangarei welcomes new citizens

Whangarei District Mayor Morris Cutforth returned from the political wilderness to award citizenship to 54 people from 12 countries in a ceremony filled with laughter, song and prayer.

Back from four months of sick leave following a stroke in February, Mr Cutforth joked with the audience on Friday that he was happy to know four of the new citizens were doctors, just in case he had another stroke.

Also in a joking mood, Whangarei MP Phil Heatley told the audience he believed many were becoming citizens in order to be on the winning side at the Rugby World Cup.

Indeed, many of the new citizens were from South Africa but most were pretty coy about which team they would be supporting when asked by Mr Cutforth.

One man, however, had some advice for his fellow South Africans.

"Let the past be the past and let today be the beginning of a new future for all of us," said Peter Johnson before singing a rousing rendition of Amazing Grace to the delight of all assembled.

Soon after Mr Johnson's performance, a Swiss man said he had received a congratulatory text from his father-in-law which said "well done on becoming a Kiwi. You won't be able to fly, you can only go out at night, and you'll have a sticky beak."

A little later in the ceremony, Mr Cutforth awarded New Zealand citizenship to a man who said he was previously not a citizen of any country.

Originally from Tibet, Geshe Jamyang Sherab is a Buddhist monk who first came to New Zealand in 1999.

After receiving his citizenship, Mr Sherab offered a prayer for world peace.

Later, he talked to the Northern Advocate about what citizenship meant for him.

"As Tibetan people, we are stateless people, refugees even if we don't have refugee status," Mr Sherab said.

He said New Zealand's peaceful environment was a major reason why he had stayed and was happy to become a citizen.

"I wanted to become a member of New Zealand and a citizen, that was my dream a long time ago and I achieved my dream and my goal, so I'm really really happy and I feel so fortunate, like I've been born again."