Rachel Louise Chapman from England with Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rachel Louise Chapman from England with Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Andrew Warner
A love for Rotorua and New Zealand was the recurring sentiment shared by those receiving their New Zealand citizenship this week.
The latest citizenship ceremony was held at Rotorua Lakes Council on Tuesday, when 29 people from 11 countries became Kiwi citizens.
These were Denmark, England, Philippines, Australia, India, UnitedStates, Germany, Sri Lanka, Turkey, South Africa and United Arab Emirates.
Sunset School pupils performed items for the candidates, with great performances that received plenty of applause.
During the ceremony, mayor Steve Chadwick said it was special to be able to enjoy this ceremony together during these times, and that it could sometimes be a long decision to become a New Zealand citizen.
Image 1 of 20: Sahbettin (Turkey) Karen (south Africa) and Meliz Kaya (England)
"It is a big decision to take your family and move from your mother country to a new one. We love hearing what brought you here and what made you decide to become a New Zealand citizen."
A number of candidates had spent many years in the New Zealand already, and some had studied and grown up here.
Many of those receiving their citizenship said that they felt blessed and loved being in Rotorua, or that the city and country would hold a special place in their lives.
