Rotorua rolls out carpet for new Kiwis (+video and pics)

Twenty-five people are amongst the newest New Zealand citizens after a ceremony at the Rotorua Lakes Council.

People from as far afield as the Philippines, India, China and Uzbekistan received citizenship certificates from Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick at yesterday's citizenship ceremony.

A proud new father, Jan (JT) Lim, was supported by his wife, Junie Lim, and 18-day-old daughter, Mikaela.

Jan (JT) Lim receives his certificate from Mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Ben Fraser

"I've been here for six years now, came here in June 2008," he said.

"My wife was working in Singapore at the time and we had to decide where we were going to go.

"There was a bit of discussion but New Zealand won out in the end," he said.

Mrs Lim said New Zealand was a better place for families.

"Singapore is mostly for young people," she said.

"Everybody is in a rush, chasing the trains and the buses."

Mr Lim, who is originally from the Philippines, said he was in Rotorua for six weeks and then moved to Wellington.

Image 1 of 14: Shefali Sharma (Indian) at the citizenship ceremony in Rotorua.Photo/Ben Fraser

"I decided it was way too cold," he said.

So Mr Lim moved back to Rotorua, where he was joined by his wife.

"It's nice and central, we can go to the beach in Tauranga, or go shopping in Hamilton," he said.

"It's the life here, it's more laidback, but you also get all the amenities. The people are very friendly, at first it was very strange to see everyone smiling at you on the street. But now I'm smiling back to everybody."

Mrs Lim said she was still adjusting to that habit.

"People say 'how are you' and I don't say something back because we didn't do that [in Singapore]. JT has to keep reminding me to say something.

"I've still got two years left before my citizenship; Mikaela was born here so I'm the only one who isn't a Kiwi now," she said.

The new citizens were treated to a cultural performance from Rotorua Primary School's kapa haka group and joined in singing the national anthem, accompanied by pianist Gael van Harselaar.

Each of the men received a Rotorua Lakes Council tie, the women a corsage, and the children a pen. They also received a native seedling to represent planting roots in New Zealand.