We are always honoured to welcome new citizens to our district, and we were delighted to celebrate the occasion again – the first ceremony for the 2025 year.

Our council was full of happiness last week as five new citizens were officially welcomed to the Waitomo District at a citizenship ceremony.

The latest New Zealand citizens, from Samoa and Fiji were addressed by Waitomo District Mayor, John Robertson and welcomed to the district at a special ceremony on Thursday 3 April 2025.

They are Zainal Azad Ali, Jotishna Lata, Maimuna Ali, Rahim Raj Ali and Iakopo Peter Sasalu.

Citizenship Ceremonies are a special occasion to share with friends and family, and it’s always a great pleasure to be able to celebrate this occasion with our new citizens.

The ceremony is an important step in the process of becoming a New Zealand citizen, and it gives new citizens a chance to share the experience of being welcomed into our community and participate in a way that helps enrich our culture.