After the ceremony at which 28 people received citizenship, the Otago Daily Times spoke to Mosgiel residents Simon and Ashleigh Hann.
Mrs Hann, formerly of South Africa, was due to give birth to the couple's second child yesterday.
Mr Hann, formerly of the United Kingdom, said the impending birth and citizenship ceremony made it "a pretty big week for the family."
The Hanns have lived in Mosgiel for a year and a-half, and said a strong sense of community and access to health and education facilities made it a good place to bring up children.
Hikmattullah Noorebad, formerly of Afghanistan, said he moved to Dunedin to study at the University of Otago and to be near family.
Mr Noorebad said he was likely to stay in the area after graduating.
Dunedin psychologist David Mellor said he was gaining citizenship rather belatedly.
Mr Mellor arrived in New Zealand in 1957 with his parents, who settled in Napier.
He first came to Dunedin to study at the University of Otago and returned to the area in 1988.
Those to gain citizenship this week were: Aoife Kathy Banville (Irish), Dr Lubica Benuskova (Slovakian), Neil Anthony Christopher Flynn (British), Simon Michael Hann (British, Irish) Ashleigh Bernadette Hann (South African), Time Birru Kassa (Ethiopian), Nusrat Jarin Khan (Bangladeshi), Mr Kay-Lip Khoo (Malaysian), Kyung Min Lee (Korean), David Joseph Mellor (British), Hikamattullah Noorebad (Afghani), Turgat Ortabas (Turkish), Robert Joseph Read, Dania Joan Read, Katherine Lisa Read, Jo-Anne Eve Read, Benjamin Michael Read (South African), Cassandra Stornoway (British), Dr Will Sweetman (British), Lupe Ongo Tova (Tongan), Jasfer Lyn Camacho Valiao (Filipino), Johan Neethling Vivier (Zimbabwean), Riana Walters (South African), Peiyun Wang (Chinese), Una Katherine Edwina Wilson (British), Meng Huan Wu (Taiwanese), Lin Yang (Chinese), Emma Louise Cooper (British).
