Twenty new citizens from across the globe are Central Otago’s newest Kiwis after a citizenship ceremony in Alexandra yesterday (May 30).

Central Otago district mayor Tamah Alley led the ceremony in council chambers and said reading the personal stories of each of the new citizens was her favourite part of the occasion.

“All New Zealanders have come from somewhere else…. citizenship is a big step,” Tamah said.

“[it is] special you have chosen our country to be yours.. Literally you had a world of choices.”

The new citizens came from France, England, India, Tuvalu, Scotland, South Africa, Wales and Malaysia.

The recipients brought with them a variety of professional backgrounds including teachers, information technology, automotive industry, planning, retail, media and hospitality. 

The Mostert family of Adele, Cornelius and children Machel, John-Luke and Lily were happy to be new citizens after living in New Zealand for the past seven years. 

“We are incredibly lucky to have landed in a community that is kind and caring.

“We’ve found a home, a place where kids can still be kids and people have pride in the community,” Adele said.

Her husband said it felt a bit overwhelming to have the paperwork in hand and now formally call New Zealand home. 

Sisters Maredudd and Tegan Murrell, originally from Wales, moved to Gore when they were growing up. 

They are both committed to staying in New Zealand, and living in Central.Tegan works training bomb detection dogs at Queenstown Airport and Maredudd is in the planning team at Central Otago District Council.

For Alice Caron, co-owner of Omakau’s Muddy Creek Cafe since 2022, what was supposed to be a six month adventure to New Zealand has transpired to finding a new forever home. 

Back in 2012 she came to New Zealand and ended up extending her stay in Arrowtown (for nine years) and doing a variety of jobs. 

Before Muddy Creek Cafe he started a smoked salmon brand, a big shift from her background of studying film. 

Bannockburn’s Mitchell family (from left Scott, Carter, Rhett and Victoria), originally from Scotland, dressed in kilts for the event. Photo: The Central App

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.

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]