Nineteen new New Zealanders were officially welcomed in a ceremony yesterday at Central Otago District Council (CODC) chambers.

Central Otago District mayor Tamah Alley, her first time presiding over such a ceremony since taking up her new role, said citizenship was a big step that could have “deep emotional significance”.

“Parents and others will know that when you have more than one child or citizenship, your love isn’t halved, it is grown.”

The new Kiwis hail from South Africa, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Fiji.

The recipients bring with them a wide range of skills and varied professional backgrounds such as teaching, marketing and sales, printing, science, viticulture, telephony, Christian ministry and travel and tourism. 

Tamah said it was special to be present for her friend Tish Corder’s special occasion.

The pair met two years ago, are in the same book club and their children go to school together.

Tish Corder (left) and Tamah Alley. PHOTO: The Central App  

“After spending half my lifetime in big and congested cities, it was here in Central that I realised I’m actually just a small town girl,” Tish said.

She moved to New Zealand from South Africa together with her husband and daughter in 2019.

“[We] have embraced all the outdoor beauty and opportunities that we have in our awesome backyard. 

“From hiking to biking to hut trips to snowsports and skating to lake days and beach days, we enjoy all the things and we never fail to find a new and interesting activity.”

Deepak Prasad and wife Roselyn, originally from Fiji settled in Roxburgh, following a visit to New Zealand in 2017 when they instantly fell in love with the climate and scenery.

In 2018 they moved to New Zealand and since then their family has expanded to five.

They have three young children aged eight, four and two who all attended the ceremony dressed to impress.

Their eldest Deevik, was thrilled to have the morning off school to receive the official documentation alongside his parents. 

Deepak is a teacher at Roxburgh Area School and said it was an exciting day for everyone to be a part of.  

Deepak Prasad and Roselyn with their three children. PHOTO: The Central App

Lynn and Trevor Davis shared their story of growing up in Britain in the 1960s, they met when they were four, then again 30 years later in 1999.

A trip to visit their sons while they were on working holiday visas in Australia helped them to fall in love with the Southern hemisphere. 

Back in 2007 Trevor’s skills as a printer were in demand and on the skills shortage list, he obtained a visa, so they moved to Auckland where they lived for four years.

The couple lived in Tauranga and Queenstown but since 2016 Central has been home. They make the most of the geographical closeness to their three sons and seven grandchildren who live in Queenstown. 

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 locally grown kowhai seedlings given to the new citizens. PHOTO: The Central App

The new citizens were invited to share a snippet of how they have come to live in this district and Tamah read these 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 such as hiking and camping. 

St Gerard’s School pupils sung the national anthem at the ceremony. Southern sushi (cheese rolls), pikelets with cream and jam and tea and coffee were served to complete the kiwiana aspects of the ceremony. 

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