Oh no you don’t!
Hope Cuatriz Cahayag’s husband was happy to remain in the audience as his wife took the oath of allegiance to become a New Zealand citizen, but Mayor John Carter was having none of that.
“Up you come,” he said, with such authority that he could not demur, a trifle sluggishly perhaps but with a smile almost as wide as his wife’s.
Mrs Cahayag was one of 25 immigrants from 10 countries who took the oath or affirmation to become New Zealand citizens at a ceremony at Te Ahu in Kaitaia last week, all receiving the same warm welcome that Mr Carter unfailingly extends, with a little coaching in the uttering of the phrases “Kia ora” and “All Blacks!” The new New Zealanders are: Kelly Sofia Bossa De La Hoz (Colombia, now living in Kerikeri). Hope Cuatriz Cahayag (Philippines, Kaitaia). Lee Clasper (Britain, Kerikeri). Ann Dale Dawson (USA, Kerikeri). Michael and Lynn Fenwick (Britain, Omapere). Cuneyt Guleray and Seda Polat Guleray (Turkey, Kerikeri). Trevor John, Louise Mary, Phoebe Constance and Oliver James Huett (Britain, Kerikeri). In Soo Jeong (Korea, Karetu). Gwen Keoghan (Britain, Keirkeri). Suchart Sasoongnern (Thailand, Kerikeri). Jeremy Michael Suleski (USA, Kerikeri). Ronald Frederick Trezise (Australia, Russell). Joy Diane Waddfell (Britain, Kerikeri). Brian Owen Warren (Souith Africa, Kaikohe). Ann Hill Winship Kerikeri). Kevin Alfred and Therese Clare Wunrow (USA, Kerikeri). Yuancheng and Yanlin Zhang (China, Haruru). Jayesh Francis (India, Kaikohe).
(USA,