Moving ceremony for newest Kiwis

NEW KIWIS: Back from left: Rowena Kaiwai, Patrick Pedlow, Valerie Pedlow, Marianne Griffiths-Jones, Ruangrat Beary, Mayor Adrienne Staples, William John Ryle, Mark Upex, David Bulter-Peck. Front from left, Anthony Belshaw, Denise Joy Ryle, Tracey Jane Upex.

Mayor Adrienne Staples welcomed and warmly congratulated South Wairarapa's newest New Zealand citizens at a ceremony at Greytown Town Hall last week.

The 11 new citizens are from Britain, Thailand and the Philippines.

Mrs Staples presented each person with their New Zealand citizen certificates and a small gift following the swearing-in ceremony.

Council chief executive Paul Crimp read a message from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Peter Dunne which included the message: "As one who has chosen to become a New Zealand Citizen, you share a common bond with all New Zealanders, regardless of our different backgrounds.

"Significantly you bring the history and heritage of your homeland to your new status as a citizen of New Zealand, thereby enriching us all."

The ceremony, which was attended by friends and family, concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.