Scotsman citizen after 55 years

Just over half a century in New Zealand and Masterton man George Young is finally an official Kiwi.

Scottish-born Mr Young has lived here for 55 years and got the official tick at a citizenship ceremony at Masterton District Council.

He said pressure from his children was the main force behind his citizenship application.

With his wife being Maori and all of them being Kiwis, he was the odd one out, said Mr Young. "They've given me stick for years."

Masterton mayor Garry Daniell granted Mr Young his citizenship last Thursday.

His wife Annette, daughter Melonie Johns and Annette's mother Nora Nia Nia also attended the ceremony.

An even newer citizen came to the ceremony - Mr Young's 4-week-old granddaughter Fern Johns.

"It was lovely to have her there," he said.

In 1958, he came over as a baby from the Shetland Islands. "My father was so staunch on being a Scotsman, we'd come from the other side of the world and really there was no need to become citizens then," said Mr Young. Next month it will be the anniversary of his family coming to New Zealand.

Masterton also welcomed six other new citizens at the ceremony held in the Frank Cody Lounge. They were Samoan, Swiss, Filipino and British-born.