The town's newest citizens are welcomed by Rotorua Primary School.
Thirty people from 10 different nationalities have been added to the mix in Rotorua after a citizenship ceremony in the council chambers yesterday afternoon.
The Ona family was among those, and Owen, 24, said his family's new life undoubtedly topped their life in the Philippines when they moved to Rotoruasix years earlier.
Poverty, corruption, and lack of opportunity was what Ona said drew his family out.
The Ona family of Owen (left), Maria, Nelson, Olive, and Orleen from the Philippines are now all proud Kiwis. Photo / Cira Olivier
He said while it was not easy to leave behind loved ones, it was not a decision they regretted.
Some new Kiwis spoke briefly and mentioned the challenges they faced to get where they were but also how it was worth it.
Alex Burge had lived in New Zealand for more than 30 years, and owned a bakery in Rotorua and jokingly apologised for the extra calories he added to the community.
Each person or family was called up, read a promise followed by Chadwick's declaration they were now citizens.
They were given a native plant and told to plant it in a place they could bring loved ones back to and remember this special day.
Rotorua's newest citizens Abin Cherian - India Jonathan Allcock - South Africa Pamela Wheelock - South Africa Alex Burge - Sweden Manroop Grewal - India Ruigen Guo - China Jiahua He - China Yohan Moses Benjamin - Sri Lanka Nelson Ona - Philippines Owen Ona - Philippines Orleen Ona - Philippines Olive Ona - Philippines Jemaila Pavo - Philippines Leonora Poblete - Philippines Aden Aydin - Turkey Zahide Aydin - Turkey Yaren Aydin - Turkey Irem Aydin - Turkey Boran Aydin - Turkey Jen-Kai Chang - Taiwan Chih-Yin Lee - Taiwan Khristian Dionela - Philipines Il Lee - Korea Dean Lovelock - Britain John Mile - Britain Susan Jory - Britain Brendan Moore - Britain Barry Morris - Britain Preetinanda Panda - India Yan Zhang - China
