Kathleen Bollen, left, with mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Stephen Parker
I have been here for 14 years. The kids were born here, so I became a citizen mainly for them and any grandchildren in years to come. I am very happy.
LOUISA FITZGERALD, England
My family has been here in New Zealand for the last 10 years. Since day one, we have really loved it. Our ultimate goal was to be citizens so this is now a blessing for us.
ROLANDO LORILLA, the Philippines
I came to New Zealand in 2008 to study at Waiariki Institute of Technology. After two years there I started nursing at Rotorua Hospital. I really enjoy my job. I have two sons and we are really lucky to be here. This country is beautiful, we are blessed.
ASHITA THAIPARAMBIL GEORGE, India
We have been here as a family since 1994. We landed at Auckland Airport with a couple of suitcases and cats. We spent 18 months in Hamilton and since then we have lived in Rotorua, working in the fire service and in health. We are pretty much a multicultural family.
GEOFFREY CARTER, England
I have been here for quite some time, so I thought it was about time I became a citizen.
LILIAN GILBERT, Scotland
I came from Ho Chi Minh to study in New Plymouth. While I was on placement in Rotorua I met my husband here. We have a daughter and she is almost 2 years old now.
ANH HA, Vietnam
The airport is built on land confiscated by the Crown in 1866.