So many people want to become Kiwis that a citizenship ceremony will be held in Rotorua every month next year, with 100 people already on the waiting list.
Today, 27 people from seven countries were welcomed as official New Zealanders at a ceremony at Rotorua Lakes Council.
Mayor Steve Chadwicksaid it was a special day for them all.
"This is a big decision and a big step forward today."
ALL SMILES: Andrina Romano-Whitworth from Britain was all smiles. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK
Mrs Chadwick said the council wanted to stay on top of the long waiting list because it did not want to lose the personal touch of the citizenship ceremonies.
She said it was a fantastic sign for Rotorua, and those getting their citizenship loved the local environment and sense of community.
New citizen Kim Paras, originally from the Philippines, said she moved to Rotorua in January 2011. Her father worked here as a telephone technician and brought the family to New Zealand.
"I like that the community is multicultural and I feel people are very respectful to other cultures, and I like the environment."
Miss Paras said she had good educational opportunities in Rotorua, having been awarded a Young Achiever's Award at Rotorua Girls' High School for academics and community involvement.
She went on to be granted a scholarship from the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust to support her in university.
Miss Paras plans to pursue a career in microbiology research. She has finished three years of undergraduate study at Auckland University and plans to do honours next year.
"I just feel thankful for the people."
The ceremony also included items by the council's Waiata Group. New citizens received a book titled Choice and a seedling.
PERFORMANCE: The Rotorua Lakes Council Waiata Group performed a few items. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK
Mrs Chadwick said the seedling was to plant in a special place so new citizens could put down roots in the community. The women also received a corsage.
Four Fijian, four Chinese, five British, three Indian, two Filipino, seven South African and two Ukrainian people became citizens.
NEW CITIZEN: Xiaofeng Gao from China became a new Kiwi citizen. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK
