'Heaven on earth' for new citizens (+pics & video)

Farid Ali Khan (left) and Reepal Mahendrabhai Patel with their daughters Inara, 3, and Zohra, 4, are now New Zealand citizens. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Another 12 people have officially become Kiwis, with one calling his adopted country "heaven on earth".

At a citizenship ceremony yesterday at Rotorua Lakes Council migrants from Ireland, India, Philippines and one from Pakistan were officially made New Zealand citizens.

Each person or family was given a kowhai seedling by mayor Steve Chadwick.

"We give a little gift of a seedling, this time it is a kowhai seedling. You plant your tree and and it lets you put your roots into this place. It's very special."

Rotorua's newest citizens were also treated to a performance from kohanga reo Te Ara Ki Te Reo Ki Kuirau, which was so compelling a child from the audience joined in with the performance.

Mrs Chadwick was impressed with the school's performance.

Image 1 of 9: Rotorua Citizenship Ceremony. Evangeline Adriano (Filipino) Photo/Ben Fraser

"It's such a thrill to see the little ones. In Rotorua every primary and intermediate has a waiata group."

Farid Ali Khan and his wife Reepal Mahendrabhai Patel from India became citizens like their two daughters Inara, 3, and Zohra, 4, who were both born in New Zealand.

Mr Khan said he and his wife lived in the United Kingdom for eight years before deciding to move to New Zealand.

They have been in Rotorua for one year, and own BK's Motor Lodge.

"I started researching about New Zealand. My wife knows I love the UK for the people and the culture and said if I like the UK I will like New Zealand. The more we read about New Zealand and the more I researched, the more I just started loving it. I realised it was one of the best ever decisions I made in my life. New Zealand is heaven on earth."