Opinion: Rotorua's newest Kiwis share what it feels like to become citizens

Rotorua has become home to a new group of citizens. Photo / File

Apinya Forrest.

It's been a long time coming and I already knew I was a New Zealander. It's just a sense of feeling like you're with your people.

Apinya Forrest

Moved to New Zealand in 1999, Thai

Thomas Mackenzie.

My wife wanted to move to Australia but I had to put my foot down and we came to New Zealand instead. This is my home, and I don't mean New Zealand, I mean Rotorua.

Thomas Mackenzie

Moved to New Zealand in 1967, British

Durgeshni Goswami.

It took a long time to decide to become citizens because we didn't want to take the choice away from our children. When we came back from holiday and one our daughters said "I'm so happy to be home" we knew they were ready for citizenship.

Durgeshni Goswami

Moved to New Zealand in 2003, Fijian

Mandeep Kaur.

I always knew it was a beautiful and peaceful country and it was my dad's dream to live here. I know he would be very proud.

Mandeep Kaur

Moved to New Zealand in 2010

Indian