Christchurch City Mayor Phil Mauger: Welcoming our new citizens

The role of Mayor brings many highlights. One of my favourites is our Citizenship Ceremony.

Every month I, or the Deputy Mayor, have the privilege of welcoming around 300 new citizens. Since I’ve been Mayor, I have officiated at 21 ceremonies, welcoming 6266 new citizens, and giving a native tree to every family group to plant, symbolising putting down roots.

I start by asking the candidates who have been waiting the longest time, and in some cases it can be up to 70 years. New citizens have come from as far away as the Seychelles, Iceland and Kyrgyzstan, with the largest number born in the Philippines (1596), followed by India (842), and then the United Kingdom (814).

I enjoy seeing many wearing their national dress when they get presented with their citizenship. The Mayoress and I get photos taken with each new citizen which means I get to smile an awful lot over a two-hour period.

A warm welcome to all our new citizens. Ōtautahi Christchurch is so enriched by the diversity each and every one of you brings to our thriving city.