New Kiwis now call Waipa their home
The Waipa District Council welcomed 34 new citizens to the district in August.
Coming from eight different countries, they were welcomed as new citizens of New Zealand, by Waipa mayor Jim Mylchreest.
He said the council was holding more citizenship ceremonies for people settling into the district.
Mylchreest welcomed citizens from Sweden, Great Britain, Fiji, South Africa, The Philippines, Cambodia, Ireland and Australia at the special ceremony.
Just under a third of those who swore an oath of allegiance to The Queen of New Zealand, have settled in Cambridge.
While others have made their homes in Te Awamutu, Pirongia
‘‘They all become one people who make up New Zealand.’’ Thomas Murtagh
and Ohaupo.
Lisa Carter said her family came from England 10 years ago chose to live in Cambridge because it was a hospitable place.
Another former Brit, Louise Walker, a former top rower, fell in love with Lake Karapiro and runs a business importing high performance sportswear specifically designed for canoeing and cycling.
Fijian born science and chemistry teacher Reo Lal who along with his wife Rekha and their son Rishav came to live in Cambridge in 2009.
It was an easy choice as it’s ‘‘reasonably’’ crime free and safe.
Thomas Murtagh has lived in New Zealand half his life found Cambridge the right fit and of course the right job working with horses.
Now in his 50s, still with an Irish accent, he said he felt he had better do the right thing and become a New Zealander.
He said citizenship ceremonies are becoming more common as people from all over the world want to live in New Zealand.
‘‘They all may have come from different lands but the one thing they now have in common follow- ing the ceremony is that they all become one people who make up New Zealand.’’
Mylchreest said he enjoys being able to welcome new people.
‘‘It is great to help make this the ‘place they call home’.’’