Citizenship ceremonies are held by Tararua District Council on behalf of the Governor General and 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 Details

Tararua District Council understands the importance people apply to New Zealand citizenship and conducts ceremonies that are meaningful and memorable for each candidate, as well as their friends and family who may also be in attendance.

During each ceremony each candidate will:

Be received and welcomed by the Deputy Mayor

Receive an opening address from the Mayor

Make an oath or affirmation of allegiance

Be welcomed by local iwi representatives

Be welcomed by our districts Councillors, Community Boards and Defence Force representative

Receive a closing address

Sing the New Zealand National Anthem - God Defend New Zealand

Be provided afternoon tea

Ceremony venues

Our Citizenship Ceremonies are held at the following locations:

• Dannevirke: Dannevirke Council Chamber, Town Hall, 156 High Street, Dannevirke
• Pahiatua: Pahiatua Council Chamber, 136 Main Street, Pahiatua

Our Citizenship Ceremonies usually commence at 2:00pm but you will be notified of the time and venue ahead of your ceremony.

Ceremony frequency

We hold multiple ceremonies throughout the year.  Please contact the Mayors office on 06 374 4080 for any enquires you may have.

Ceremony protocol

For many people, gaining New Zealand citizenship is an extremely important, proud and solemn day.  We ask all those gaining their citizenship to dress in such a way as to show an effort has been made and while there is no dress code, we do request you dress tidily and consider the importance others place on the ceremony.  Please consider these dress guidelines:

Do:
Wear the traditional costume of your home nation
Wear uniform and medals if you are in a unformed occupation or volunteer service (if applicable)

Don't:
Wear sports shorts, gym kit, T-shirts and jandals
Wear rude or offensive clothing

Support

We encourage all candidates to bring friends and family members to share and celebrate the day with you.  Due to space limitations we ask that each candidate limits the support to 5 friends or family members.  Your supporters are more than welcome to take pictures or video of your ceremony for you.

Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance

Candidates must recite the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation of Allegiance before becoming a New Zealand citizen.  Candidates will be given a card to read this from.

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.

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.

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