As the first strains of the National Anthem left her lips, a smile lit up Sharon Davies' face - and for a brief moment, she forgot why she was in Dunedin Hospital.
That was the moment she officially became a New Zealand citizen.
The 66-year-old has terminal cancer, and one of her dying wishes was to become a Kiwi.
So her family gathered at her ward in Dunedin Hospital with Dunedin Mayor David Cull on Saturday morning, to give her a special citizenship ceremony at her bedside.
Mrs Davies was born in England and came to New Zealand when she was 4. And for the past six decades, she has been planning to get citizenship, but never quite got around to it.
"Everyone has a bucket list. This was always on my bucket list.
"It sounds stupid - I don't know why it's so important to me.
"All but one of my [11] children were born here. I've lived most of my life in New Zealand.
"For all intents and purposes, I am a New Zealander. But this makes it official.
"It means that when I die, I will belong here."
Mrs Davies survived breast cancer six years ago, but returned to her doctor two weeks ago with a sore stomach. It was then she learned her prognosis.
As a symbol of New Zealand's growing cultural diversity, a native tree is given to all new citizens at Dunedin's citizenship ceremonies.
However, Mr Cull said the tree given to Mrs Davies carried extra symbolism.
"I think under the circumstances, it will serve as a remembrance tree."
Mrs Davies has lived in Abbotsford for many years, but because of her declining health she was not expected to return home.
Her son, Liam Davies, said the family hoped to plant the tree at the Dunedin Botanic Garden with a plaque.
