Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale was joined by councillors Frans Schlack, John McCone, Jeremy Holding and deputy mayor Rebecca Ryan to present citizenship certificates to 23 brand new New Zealanders from 12 countries.
Mrs Tavendale said it was an important and special part of her role as mayor to formally acknowledge those who had chosen New Zealand as their home.
"Our district is growing, and diversifying, and it’s thanks to people choosing Waitaki as a place to raise their families," she said.
The Oamaru Intermediate School’s kapa haka group performed a waiata at last week’s ceremony, which was followed by a welcome to attendees and their family and friends from Mrs Tavendale.
Affirmations and oaths of citizenship were sworn by each family, and they were presented with a native hebe plant.
A welcome video featuring Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro was then played for the new citizens.
The kapa haka group then led all present in a rendition of the national anthem, before group photos were taken on the opera house’s staircase.
• The new citizens are Erlinda Francisco Torrico (Philippines), Raymundo Capito Torrico (Philippines), Daniel Dwight Torrico (New Zealand, minor), Elizabeth Marie Barrington-Wright (England), Julia Dawn Barrington-Wright (England), Kris William Nombalang (New Zealand), Kris Jay Takinan Nombalang (Philippines), Delia Allaga Nombalang (Philippines), Karl Wesley Nombalang (New Zealand), Krizelle Frankie Nombalang (New Zealand), Benjamin Callum Devereux (United Kingdom), Tamara Aldecoa Revilla (Spain), Chinthaka Jayadun De Silva Yagama (Sri Lanka), Batukandage Pramodi Shilshara Gunathilaka (Sri Lanka), Rowena Concepcion Steel (Philippines), Russell William Walker (Australia), Joseph Wagenaar (South Africa), Kitione Vaka ‘longi (Tonga), Kitione Vaka ‘longi (Tonga, minor), Ava Henze (New Zealand, minor), Ezra Henze (New Zealand, minor), Justin Heinrich Henze (South Africa) and Henrietta Jane Purvis (United Kingdom).
