Citizenship ceremonies are held by the Waikato District Council on behalf of the Department of Internal Affairs, to welcome new citizens to New Zealand and confirm their citizenship. Candidates are required to attend a ceremony to publicly declare their commitment to New Zealand and recite an oath or affirmation of allegiance before becoming a New Zealand citizen. Candidates only become New Zealand citizens once the oath or affirmation has been sworn and the certificate of Citizenship has been presented.
Citizenship Ceremony
The Waikato District Council recognises the importance of New Zealand Citizenship and endeavours to make the ceremony an enjoyable experience for each candidate.
The following process is undertaken:
- Opening Address by the Mayor
- Candidates to take the oath or affirmation
- Presentation of certificates
- Concluding address
- National Anthem
To celebrate, at the conclusion of the ceremony, new citizens and their guests are invited to join the Mayor, Councillors and staff for afternoon tea.
Ceremony Venue
The Citizenship Ceremony is held at the Ngaruawahia Office, 15 Galileo Street, Ngaruawahia in the Council Chamber and is scheduled to commence at 3.00pm. Dependent on the number of attendees, the ceremony takes a maximum of 30 minutes to complete.
Ceremony Frequency
Ceremonies are generally held on the fourth Tuesday of the month in February, April, June, August and November.
What To Bring
Candidates are not required to bring anything along for the purpose of the ceremony itself. However, we do encourage you to bring along relatives and friends to help celebrate your special occasion. If candidates wish to use a camera to take photographs or a video camera to record the event, candidates are welcome to do so.
Oath Of Allegiance
Candidates must recite the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation of Allegiance before becoming a New Zealand Citizen.
The Oath of Allegiance is:
I (your name) swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, Her heirs and successors according to the law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen. So help me God.
Affirmation of Allegiance
Candidates must recite the Affirmation of Allegiance or Oath of Allegiance before becoming a New Zealand Citizen.
The Affirmation of Allegiance is:
I (your name) solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, Her heirs and successors according to the law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen.
Becoming a Citizen
If you wish to become a New Zealand citizen, please liaise directly with the Department of Internal Affairs by calling 0800 22 51 51 or emailing citizenship@dia.govt.nz.
The New Zealand National Anthem
The New Zealand National Anthem ‘God Defend New Zealand’ is sung at the conclusion of a citizenship ceremony. There is a Máori and English version of the New Zealand National Anthem.
The Máori Version is:
E Ihowá Atua
O ngá iwi mátou rá
Áta whakarongona
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai
Kia tau tó atawhai
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa
The English Version is:
God of Nations at Thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet
Hear our voices we entreat
God defend our free land
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war
Make her praises heard afar
God Defend New Zealand