Hastings has congratulated its largest number of newly officiated New Zealand citizens just as Statistics New Zealand released population projections stating Hawke’s Bay would grow steadily over the next 30 years. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Kowhai trees are native to New Zealand.
The people who receive them during Hastings citizenship ceremonies aren't - but they're given as a symbol of their new home.
Eima Tamoaieta, originally from Kiribati, says she will put the tree in her house to remind of her the night she wasofficially made a New Zealand citizen.
Hastings District Council Chief Executive Ross McLeod introduced Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule: "Your Worship, we have here this evening, people who have been resident here in New Zealand for some time, who are ready, willing and fully prepared to take the oath or affirmation of allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second."
One hundred and fifteen people became New Zealand citizens during the ceremony - the district's biggest yet - so big it was moved to a new location - Lindisfarne College.
The Mayor says Hastings District Council has been unable to keep up with the increased influx of immigrants into the district, and have held more ceremonies as a result, "and that is a wonderful thing, it shows the diversity in our community, it shows how we are changing as a nation and I welcome you in that spirit".
The mega ceremony comes hot on the heels of a warning - from the Maxim Institute - that the regions face stagnation and in some cases decline.
But - recent Statistics New Zealand figures show the region's population is expected to grow to 12,800 over the next three decades.
