The latest New Zealanders welcomed to the Clutha District in a citizenship ceremony (from left) Iese Numia (formerly of Samoa), Anton and Elmari Van Schalkwyk (formerly of South Africa), Edgardo Ogorida (formerly of the Philippines), with Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan and new citizens Nicole (17) and Maria Dolores Ogorida (formerly of the Philippines). Photo by Samuel White.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan gave residents receiving their citizenship the opportunity to speak at the ceremony for the first time.
Software developer Anton Van Schalkwyk said he and his wife, Elmari, originally moved to New Zealand from South Africa about 20 years ago.
He said he could work ''from anywhere'' but his family preferred to live in the Clutha District. Maria-Dolores Ogorida, formerly of the Philippines, said
she and her husband moved to New Zealand for work and she gave up a career in the Philippines. She, her husband, Edgardo, and daughter, Nicole, all became New Zealand citizens.
