Very special citizenship ceremony for Rotorua midwife

Mayor Steve Chadwick congratulates her friend Nita van Boven after she was confirmed as a New Zealand citizen. Photo / Daisy Hudson

She's brought countless Kiwis into the world, and today, Nita van Boven became one.

The occasion was made even more special with van Boven being sworn in by her former colleague and mentor.

Van Boven, originally from Norfolk Island, was one of 26 people to take part in a citizenship ceremony at the Rotorua Lakes Council today.

An emotional van Boven told the crowd of family and friends that she had come to New Zealand as a baby, and had always considered herself to be a Kiwi.

"I'm really, really proud now to call myself a New Zealander."

She took the affirmation beside her former mentor, mayor Steve Chadwick, who she worked alongside as a midwife.

"She encouraged me to be a midwife," van Boven said.

"I wanted to be like Steve, she's wonderful."

Did that extend to a potential mayoral bid in the future? That was a firm no, she said with a laugh.

Also being sworn in as New Zealand citizens were people from a wide range of countries, including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Canada, China and the Maldives.

Marissa Saldana, originally from the Philippines, moved to New Zealand in 2004, and said she loved New Zealand because of its "natural beauty".

Estelle Hayes, orginially from South Africa, said she didn't want to become another year older without becoming a New Zealand citizen.

"What a wonderful country I've come to," she said.

The public gallery was packed with friends and family who went to support the new citizens.

They also received a treat, with children, staff and supporters from Tarimano Kohanga Reo performing a traditional Maori welcome.

It was the first time a kohanga reo had performed the welcome, which was usually done by local schoolchildren, Chadwick said.

New citizens

Geraldine Paragas Atchico: Philippines, Peter Anton Auge: Germany/South Africa, Sheila Elizabeth Auge: South Africa, Warrick William George Auge: South Africa, Megan Jean Auge: South Africa, Seema Bajwa: India, Eashwar Vaidyanath Balasubramaniyan: India, Yelena Bradford: Kazakhstan, Estelle Hayes: South Africa, Cailah Leigh Mack: South Africa, Epi Rakita: Fiji, Sivoki Rarawa Veitogavi: Fiji, Emosi Soqe Vaniqi: Fiji, Marissa Reyes Saldana: Philippines, Joseph Robert Taylor: Canada, Udana Hemath Warnakulasooriya: Sri Lanka, Jayne Baume: Britain, Sunisa Dansalad: Thailand, Muthasim Fahmy: Maldives, Aishath Shaaly: Maldives, Yulian Huang: China, Stephen Robert Locke: Britain, David Morgan: Britain, Karen Julia Fisher: Britain, Lin Qu: China, Nita Rae van Boven: Australia.