The Kiwi population of South Wairarapa grew by 11 in a single day this week.
New citizens originating from Britain, the Philippines, the United States of America, Canada and France were sworn in as citizens of this country at a ceremony held in the aptly named Kiwi Hall, Featherston.
South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples welcomed the 11 to the function, saying that no matter how hard life may have been it could never be easy to leave your homeland, family and friends and travel to the other side of the world to embark on a new life.
She said it was a decision that takes courage but by doing so those who were about to officially become New Zealanders had already enriched the lives of Kiwis they had met.
Council chief executive Paul Crimp read a message of welcome from the Minister of Internal Affairs.
