Citizenship Ceremonies
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.
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
You will be sent an invitation ahead of your Citizenship Ceremony that will detail the date, time and location of your ceremony. Please RSVP upon receipt of your invite.
Ceremony frequency
We usually 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.
Support
We encourage all candidates to bring friends and family members to share and celebrate the day with you.
Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance
Adult 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. Candidates can choose to recite either the English or Te reo Māori version.
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.
Te Oati ki te Ariki Tapairu - (Oath of Allegiance):
Ko ahau, ko [say your name] e kī taurangi ana ka pirihonga ahau,
ka piripono ki Te Ariki Tauaroa a 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.
Te Whakaū Pono i te Noho Pūmau - (Affirmation of Allegiance):
Ko ahau, ko [say your name] tēnei e whakaū pono ana ka pirihonga ahau,
ka piripono ki Te Ariki Tauaroa a 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