Finally a Kiwi after 43 years

Joann Hutton-Smith (left) with mayor Steve Chadwick at yesterday's ceremony.

A Rotorua woman who will manage a national climbing team this year will now do so as an official New Zealand citizen.

Joann Hutton-Smith was one of 33 people who became New Zealand citizens in a ceremony held by Rotorua Lakes Council yesterday.

Mayor Steve Chadwick officiated the ceremony where a group from Mokoia Intermediate sang to welcome the individuals and families who represented eight nationalities.

Among those making an oath to New Zealand was Mrs Hutton-Smith, who has lived in New Zealand since she was 3 months old.

Binu Nair celebrates with Aleena, 6.

The Australian-born 44-year-old is the team manager for the New Zealand Youth Climbing Team and decided to make the commitment to citizenship before she travelled with the team to Italy later this year.

The team would compete in the World Youth Rock Climbing Championships and she wanted to support them as a full New Zealander.

Mrs Hutton-Smith is also a member of Rotorua Climbing Club and Climbing New Zealand.

Unlike many others in the ceremony, who made the move to New Zealand in search of a better life, Mrs Hutton-Smith said the similarities between New Zealand and Australia gave her no reason to become a New Zealander, until now.

She has been showing her support to New Zealand through tourism businesses River Rats and Raft About, which she owns with her husband.