New Zealand has 21 new citizens following a ceremony at the Central Otago District Council (CODC) chambers yesterday.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said welcoming new citizens was his favourite part of the job and it was a “watershed moment” for many families.

“You have chosen our country to be yours . . . which is a great honour.”

The new citizens came from England, Scotland, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, France, Brazil, and China.

Watch 30 seconds of Clyde School students’ New Zealand national anthem performance, it includes NZ sign language.

The recipients bring with them a wide range of skills and varied professional backgrounds such as Frenchman Richard Brun, a former extreme snowboarder and coach.

He has settled in Bannockburn with his wife Carrie and two sons.

After years in the ski industry he retrained as a builder and works as a project manager for Mike Greer Homes in Cromwell.

Duncan Faulkner, of Northampton, England, originally came to New Zealand with a police transfer programme.

He now works in technology and is a former chairman of the Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust.  

Duncan said becoming a Kiwi is the most profound affirmation of his life built here, together with his wife Jenna and three children.

Canadian born Amy Storry McNally, manager of Clyde’s Dunstan House and Alexandra based musician, was granted New Zealand citizenship (in centre). She was joined by wife Stacey Storry McNally (on left) and son Lyrik (11) on the happy occasion. 

Clyde School principal Steph Kitto with students.

New citizen Jessica Mogridge spent three years in New Zealand from nine years old, then returned again after training as an accountant at 24.

Jessica Mogridge, formerly of England, is now a mum of two preschoolers and is farming in the picturesque Ida Valley. 

She said after spending those early years here, she always knew she would return to New Zealand. 

Along with the official paperwork, the new citizens were presented with a native kōwhai seedling, propagated from a 400-year-old kōwhai tree on Bannockburn’s Te Kano Estate.

The new citizens were invited to share a snippet of how they have come to live in this district and mayor Tim read those out. 

Many new residents said Central’s landscape was a highlight of living here including the proximity to the ski fields, the lakes, and outdoor pursuits like fishing and camping. 

PHOTOS/VIDEO: The Central App