She and her daughter Kirti, who now live in Mosgiel, were among more than 60 people to officially become New Zealanders at a citizenship ceremony in the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday.
Indira Gounder said the pair along with her husband had moved from Fiji 18 years ago in search of better opportunities.
"When we moved, things in Fiji were not good.
"We love the South Island — everyone is so welcoming and very nice," she said.
"When we first went to apply we heard it would take a year to be approved, then three months later we got an email saying we needed to attend the ceremony — we we’re thrilled.
"We didn’t expect this many people here. There is so much emotion. It really is fantastic," she said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said it was wonderful so many people decided to give their oath of allegiance in te reo Māori.
"Many of them had better pronunciation than me."
"It’s great when people show up in their national costumes. It was a wonderful celebration for everyone," she said.
The new citizens hail from Brazil, Belarus, South Africa, India, the United States of America, England, Botswana, Fiji, Romania, Australia, Germany, Samoa, Bangladesh, United Kingdom and China.
Elaine Alves de Albuquerque (Brazil); Andrew Thomas Anglemyer (United States); Johanna Tamsen Anglemyer (United States); Lewis Kenneth Anglemyer (United States); Kara Ann DuBray (United States); Maria Eduarda Araujo Codeco (Brazil); Lidiya Igorvna Babayeva (Belarus); Leon Warren Basel (South Africa); Tanya Basel (South Africa); Simon David Basel (South Africa); Keren Grace Basel (South Africa); Mohit Chhabra (India); Adair Kay Marie Clark (United States); Caroline Jane Collins (England); Michael Cronje (Botswana); Juan-Pierre Cronje (South Africa); Amy Cronje (South Africa); Joanne Louise Cronje (South Africa); Nicolaas Jacobus Linde Cronje (South Africa); Laura Rebecca Davies (United Kingdom); Jeffrey Charles Beltran Dionela (Philippines); Martin Fronius (Romania); Graham Myler Fruisen (United States); Indira Devi Gounder (Fiji); Kirti Gounder (Fiji); Karen Marie Hazell (England); Sam Alexander Heenan (Australia); Martin Frank Hohmann-Marriott (Germany); Akhila Jameskutty (India); Meeval Mathew (India); Jordan Robin Kodiyan (India); Jianna Rose Kodiyan (India); Robin Joseph Kodiyan (India); Karin Sybille Laubscher (Germany); Karen French Lyle (United States); Daniel Marais (South Africa); Marlia Marais (South Africa); Amanda Faye Martin (United States); Belinda Jane McKie (United Kingdom); Morgana Mesquita Thom (Brazil); Gaizzelle Anne De Leon Nacion (Philippines); Patricia Lynne Newell (British Guiana); David Tavita Passi (Samoa); Benjmain Andrew Reshey (United States); Zurana Zayed Rodoshi (Bangladesh); Ashley Dennis Schippers (South Africa); Isaac William Simons (United States); Jeremy Liddell Simons (Philippines); Amy C.L. Simons (United States); Fraser Roderick Stephens (United Kingdom); Katherine Monica Stephens (United Kingdom); Torin Antony Stephens (United Kingdom); Lyra Nora Stephens (United Kingdom); Robert Benjamin Szrot (United States); Niressa Amolato Teves (Philippines); Jan Prosper Yu Teves (Philippines); Steven Alan Turner (United Kingdom); Chantel (Wad (South Africa); Wayne Wade (South Africa); Nathan Andrew Wade (South Africa); Louis Johan Wade (South Africa); Nicholas Wilson (England); Jean Wilson (England); Neha Young (Fiji); Yuxin Zhang (China).
