Citizenship
Citizenship ceremonies are held by the Manawatū 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 declare publicly 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 Manawatū 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:
- Karakia and welcome
- Opening address by the Mayor
- Candidates to take the oath or affirmation
- Presentation of certificates
- Concluding address
- National anthem
Ceremony venue
The Citizenship ceremony is normally held in the Council Chamber, Manawatū District Council, 135 Manchester Street, Feilding and commences at 7pm. An alternative venue is Te Āhuru Mōwai (Community Hub), 64 Stafford Street, Feilding.
Ceremony frequency
Ceremonies are held with a minimum of 10 candidates roughly every 3-4 months. Please contact the New Zealand Citizenship Office (contact details at the bottom of this page) to enquire about your attendance at a ceremony, as they coordinate this and pass the attendance details onto the Council once confirmed. You can also contact the Council to confirm if your attendance has come through (06 323 0000, or public@mdc.govt.nz).
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 special friends to help celebrate your special occasion (maximum of 5 guests each). If candidates wish to use a camera to take photographs or a video camera to record the event, they are welcome to do so.
Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance
Candidates must recite the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation of Allegiance (in English or Te Reo Māori) before becoming a New Zealand citizen. A handout of the oath or affirmation will be available during the ceremony for candidates.
Oath of Allegiance:
I (your name) swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of New Zealand, his 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.
Ko ahau, ko (your name) e kī taurangi ana ka pirihonga ahau, ka piripono ki Te Arikinui Kīngi Tiāre te Tuatoru, te Kīngi o Aotearoa, me ōna uri ake me ōna whakakapi e ai ki te ture, ā, ka aro pirihonga ahau ki ngā ture o Aotearoa me te whakatutuki i āku mahi hei kirirarau o Aotearoa. Nō reira e te Atua, āwhinatia mai ahau.
Affirmation of Allegiance:
I (your name) solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of New Zealand, his 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.
Ko ahau, ko (your name) tēnei e whakaū pono ana ka pirihonga ahau, ka piripono ki Te Arikinui Kīngi Tiāre te Tuatoru, te Kīngi o Aotearoa, me ōna uri ake me ōna whakakapi e ai ki te ture, ā, ka aro pirihonga ahau ki ngā ture o Aotearoa me te whakatutuki i āku mahi hei kirirarau o Aotearoa.
Citizenship Application Fees and Forms
For further information, including details of fees, or to get an application form please contact:
New Zealand Citizenship Office
Freephone: 0800 22 51 51 (New Zealand only)
Phone: (+64 4) 463 9361 (from outside New Zealand)
E-mail: citizenship@dia.govt.nz
Website: www.citizenship.govt.nz