Leather King now a Kiwi

After more than a half-century in New Zealand, "leather king" Trino Koers of Carterton has become a naturalised Kiwi.
In a ceremony officiated by outgoing Carterton Mayor Gary McPhee yesterday, Mr Koers said it was finally time to seal the deal between him and his adopted homeland.
Mr Koers, 76, arrived in New Zealand from Holland in 1957, started work as a tailor in Carterton and went on to found Jeffrey Chandel, now a national and global brand for speciality leather.
He snubbed citizenship 50 years ago because he was told even if he was a citizen he couldn't take part in the educational or banking systems.
"The man from Internal Affairs came to me and told me all these things and I said to him, if you were in my position and you were in Holland, would you accept citizenship?"
Compounding his decision, the Dutch were not allowed to hold dual citizenship.
That was changed about two years ago and perhaps by coincidence Mr Koers wrote a letter contesting the Government's stance: "I don't know how much I had to do with it but it's changed."
He was encouraged to get his citizenship because he said he had a good relationship with Mr McPhee, who performed the ceremony as one of his last actions before relinquishing the mayoralty.
Mr McPhee said it was a historic day for Carterton as he swore in one of the town's most well-known residents.
Mr Koers said that, despite the oath and the formality, he has considered himself a New Zealander for a long time but admits he had initial reservations about the country.
"I was going to see the other side of the world. I never intended to stay here. I never wanted to stay here but you get used to it.
"I'm not a Kiwi, I'm not a Pakeha. I always thought of myself as a 'new New Zealander'.
"Not an old one but a new one. I wasn't born here, I came here."
Mr Koers has visited his Dutch homeland about 15 times since coming to this country but said he didn't miss it.
"Holland is a nice country but it's not me. Holland is a country most Dutch people feel they don't live in any more."
Mr Koers' wife June, from Wales and a long-standing New Zealand citizen, said she was very proud of him.
"He loves Wairarapa. Wairarapa is his home."
Mr Koers established Jeffrey Chandel in 1957 and began manufacturing men's suits and women's fashion garments.
He has won several awards, including the Air NZ Export Award, Peat Marwick Award, Malcolm Budridge Award and regional awards.