Tampa refugee pressing for a Kiwi future

Salmanali Abdullali, from the Tampa, prepares for his citizenship ceremony. Picture / Richard Robinson

Tampa refugee Salmanali Abdullali hasn't used an iron since he lived in Afghanistan more than four years ago. Today the 20-year-old car groomer of Glenfield wants to look his best as he and 75 other refugees are becoming New Zealand citizens.

"I used to iron a lot in Afghanistan. I was very good, but I haven't here. It will be a very strange feeling wearing these clothes."

He will be in the company of other Afghanis who became known as the Tampa refugees after the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa rescued them from a sinking boat as they tried to enter Australia in 2001.

Salmanali, who had left Afghanistan with his aunt and her family, was on board the Australian troop ship Manoora when he heard he was heading for New Zealand.

"We were trying to go to Australia. I hadn't even heard of New Zealand, but some on the boat knew a little about it and said it was a nice, small, and very peaceful country. I started dreaming of New Zealand."

Salmanali said his experiences here have lived up to what he was told. He has gone to school and learned to read and write. "I never went to school in Afghanistan."

Now he is reunited with his parents and two younger brothers and sisters who arrived in New Zealand to settle last year.

Salmanali said that before they arrived he had felt alone despite his friendships with the other Afghani boys and his cousins. Now, he is busy ferrying them round.

But despite frantic schedules at times, there is no speeding. "I want to be a really good citizen. I've tried my best to be good ... no speeding tickets or other charges. I am happy to know I have not done anything wrong."