Media releasesCity Welcomes Newest Citizens
November 6, 2007
North Shore City’s official population grew by more than 500 recently, following the latest citizenship ceremony held at the Bruce Mason Theatre on Monday November 5.
Mayor Andrew Williams led the celebration in which he welcomed 550 new New Zealand citizens to the North Shore. The city holds seven of these ceremonies each year where similar numbers swear allegiance to their new country of residence.
Also attending Monday night’s ceremony was deputy mayor Julia Parfitt, councillors Lisa Whyte and Vivienne Keohane, community board members Tim McBride and Peter White, North Shore MP Wayne Mapp and officials from the Council, Royal New Zealand Navy and the Department of Internal Affairs.
Originating from 35 different nations around the world, the Shore’s newest citizens come from a diverse range of countries such as: Egypt; Iran; Nigeria; Slovakia and Venezuela to name just five. British, Chinese, Indian, Korean and South African migrants make up the largest numbers of new residents.
Mayor Williams, in welcoming North Shore’s latest citizens, told them citizenship was a two-way exchange.
“We gain new citizens who want to be part of this country and community and you gain a new homeland to share with us – to be both protected and enjoyed.”
Mr Williams described citizenship as a double-sided coin – with rights and privileges on one side and duties and responsibilities on the other.
“The right mix and proper balance between these makes us a country of which we can all be proud.
“The gifts you bring to us are highly valued,” Mayor Williams added. “The richness of the cultures, tradition and heritage from the land of your birth helps give our young country a depth and maturity which we need and appreciate so much.”
According to the latest population figures, North Shore City’s population is currently around 220,300 and made up of a mix of ethnicities, cultures and languages. While the population is predominately European – 67.5 per cent as at June 30, 2006 – an increasing number of other ethnicities including Korean, South African and Chinese now reside on the North Shore. Around six per cent of the city’s population identify as being Maori.
To find out what's happening in North Shore City, subscribe to shorelife, our free monthly email newsletter packed full of events, news, projects and activities happening throughout the shore. Sign up now.