New citizens welcomed by Mayor - 13/06/2012

Mayor Annette Main today welcomed a group of new citizens to Wanganui, congratulating them on their decision to make New Zealand, and Wanganui in particular, their home.

The ceremony was held in the War Memorial Hall where the new citizens were presented with their certificate of New Zealand Citizenship and gifts to commemorate the occasion.

The ceremony was followed by afternoon tea for the new citizens and their guests.

The new citizens and their original nationalities are:

Mrs Magdalena Aspeling, South African; Mr Ian Aspeling, South African; Mr Vikrant Batra, Indian; Mr Ryan Bothma, South African; Miss Jessica Firth, British; Mrs Balwinder Kaur, Indian; Mr Daljit Singh, Indian; Mr Iftikhar Ali Khan, Pakistani; Mr Deog Kim, Korean; Mrs Yeon Og Na, Korean; Mr Hwi Seung Kim, Korean; Mrs Elva Latonio, Filipino; Mr Alvin Latonio, Filipino; Mrs Sajeela Malik, Pakistani; Mr Kristopher Mariner, Samoan; Ms Ana Poirot, Argentinian British; Dr Christopher Romann, American; Mrs Beryl Watson , British; Mr Abdeslam Benmassod, Moroccan; Mrs Anne Bernard-Bennett, Jamaican; Mr Danny Harrison, British; Mr Stuart Hill, British; Mrs Iva Leonard, Czech; Mr Andreas Schaffaczek, German; Ms Anna Kate Sporl-Schaffaczek, German; Mrs Kerry Terrey, British; Mrs Morag Walshe, British; Miss Maria Wilkes, British.

Why are citizenship ceremonies held by the council?

The ceremony is an opportunity for the local community to welcome the new citizens on behalf of all New Zealanders.

Most citizenship ceremonies are held by local councils. At the ceremony applicants must stand before an official person, such as the Mayor, and take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance.

The oath or affirmation says the person will honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, obey the laws of New Zealand, and fulfil their duties as New Zealand citizens.