Jack's father Dave Hamilton, of Alexandra, formerly of Ireland, was one of six Central Otago residents who became New Zealand citizens. Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said all New Zealanders were ''from somewhere else.''
''Our predecessors chose to come here, so we share a common heritage. To quote Martin Luther King: 'We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now'.
''The new citizens were from five different countries and Mr Lepper said they brought diversity to the district, which was a good thing. Each was given a kowhai tree after the ceremony.
''Kowhais are a great symbol of New Zealand and they do well in Central Otago. I spend a bit of time up in the hills and there's some very old trees there.''
Mayoress Bernie Lepper read out a short biography of each citizen which outlined their reasons for becoming a New Zealand citizen.
''We should really print a book of these. They're a great advertisement for Central Otago,'' Mr Lepper said.
The other new citizens were Jenny Handford (formerly of Zimbabwe), of Alexandra, Sandra Hewlett (England), of Cromwell, Gus Lammers (the Netherlands), of Cromwell, Mike Geneblaza (Canada), of Cromwell, Steve Hodkinson (England), of Cromwell.
