I’m a Kiwi now
After almost 14 years and a big of nagging from Howard (well gentle questioning) I finally applied for my New Zealand citizenship. I must admit throughout the process I was quite ambivalent, and even on the day of the ceremony was not fussed about whether I did it or not. However once I was in the ceremony (with almost 200 other new immigrants) I was quite proud that I was finally making that step.
Whilst long the ceremony was lovely with a kapahaka group from Ngai Tahu starting the event, and with Mayor Bob Parker and local dignitaries being present. Once we had all read the Oath of Allegiance (en masse) we were called up individually and given our citizenship documents and at that moment I become an official Kiwi.
The Mayoress also presented us each with a small tree (much to Howard’s disgust I got a cabbage tree which is his least favourite tree- I love them though).
It was lovely having Thomas and Howard there with me to celebrate this special day- I will always be British, and Hampshire will always be home, but I have now spent almost ¼ of my life in New Zealand, and now have a history and understanding in both cultures and countries, so it was the right thing to do to make that legal and formal commitment to my new homeland.
