Twenty-nine new citizens from eight different countries read their oaths at the Rotorua Lakes Council chambers yesterday afternoon..
Instead of a school kapa haka performance, the ceremony attendees were given a personal welcome from councillors and staff who performed a waiata led by Trevor Maxwell.
Mayor Steve Chadwick told the group the council was now doing monthly ceremonies for new Kiwis.
"It used to be six-weekly but we are now putting on more, because so many people want to live in Rotorua."
![Savita Birdi with Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Stephen Parker](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2LILKLWWLFECZQHGO2KBHNBWE4.jpg?auth=235464c38a5dd2981ae1a6ba364226dd93ff95b16aaad3621a165396d768d358&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)