Governor-General Dame Pasty Reddy thanked the 25 immigrants who officially became New Zealanders on Monday for choosing to make this country their home.
Dame Patsy said she always enjoyed citizenship ceremonies for the opportunity they provided to meet new New Zealanders and to hear of their experiences and aspirations.
New Zealand was often described as a nation of immigrants, she added. One-quarter of the country's population had been born elsewhere, and she was delighted to add her welcome to 25 more.
She reminded the newcomers that when they pledged their loyalty to New Zealand, and the Queen of New Zealand, they became full members of society with the same rights and obligations as all others, but they were not expected to leave their native culture, language and traditions behind.
Monday's candidates, who pledged their loyalty at Te Ahu, in Kaitaia, included Eric John William Hazelden, who said he had arrived in 1967, and the age of 9. He had spent "50-odd years checking the place out" and had decided to apply for citizenship last year after a Customs official looked at his British passport and welcomed him home.
