170 New Kiwis

Around 170 "new" kiwis became New Zealand citizens recently at a ceremony organised by the Christchurch City Council.

Originally from 30 different countries, the new citizens either took an oath or affirmed their allegiance and were presented with their citizenship certificates by Mayor Vicki Buck. Each candidate also received a small tree, native to Canterbury.

Christchurch has up to five such ceremonies each year.

Originally from Taiwan, Avonhead's Min-Ting Liu and her children (left to right) Tsung-yao Kao, Tsung-hua Kao and Pei-Chi Kao were welcomed as new citizens by Mayor Vicki Buck.
Alison Pugh was among the Scottish Society of New Zealand Highland Dancers who performed at the ceremony,
	as did (from left) Dallas Grey, Benjamin Brennan, Paula Rigby, Fraser Johnstone and Nicole Manawatu of the Nga Hau E Wha Kapahaka Group.

September 1997 City Scene ~ City Scene Archive