Mr Scott said the citizenship ceremony was one of his favourite parts of his job as mayor.
The ceremony linked those in the community who were citizens by birth with those who were here by choice.
"The blended array of cultures here was so great."
Mr Scott emigrated to New Zealand from South Africa when he was 8 years old.
"I’ve actually been in your shoes myself 36 years ago, and I know, first hand, the significance of today, as you formally become a citizen of our beautiful country."
New Zealand offered many opportunities to those who worked hard and got involved.
Denis Gibalova from Slovakia arrived in New Zealand 15 years ago to travel the country and visit friends.
But she ended up falling in love with the country and her New Zealand husband Geoff Barnes from Te Anau.
She loved the kindness and friendless she experienced from Kiwis.
"It reminds me a little bit of Slovakian people as well. I love that Kiwis don’t stress much — laid back."
The country reminded her of home which also had a small population.
"It’s very safe. You can leave your cars unopened, your house open — most of the time."
She was particularly impressed with how the Te Anau community took care of each other.
"Everyone is helping each other. It’s just amazing what a community can do. When people get sick, or if you are going through something, the word goes out and people will bring you food. So it’s a really nice community."
While she had kept her maiden name after marrying in New Zealand last year, she was in the process of changing it, now her citizenship was finalised.
The freshly minted citizens finished off the official part of their ceremony by singing the national anthem for the first time as New Zealand citizens after being welcomed by the Central Southland College kapa haka group.
By Toni McDonald
