Marae greets new citizens

MORGAN TAIT | Saturday, February 4, 2012 6:00

WARREN BUCKLAND

I think the way it's done, it gives you a little bit goose bumps, and I think 'wow' about all the effort people have gone to.Armando FaesHastings' population has officially grown by 25 after a citizenship ceremony at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere this week - the first time such a ceremony has been held on a marae in the district.

New citizens, formerly from places such as Zimbabwe, Switzerland, America, Samoa and the United Kingdom, were presented with a kowhai tree on Wednesday night to symbolise "putting down roots" in Hastings.

Hastings District Council kaumatua Jerry Hapuku said the traditional Maori ceremony was a way to honour the district's official new citizens.

"No longer will they be strangers in this land," he said. "You are part of this country, this place. It won't be long until Heretaunga will be like Auckland having a million people walking around."

Armando Faes, his wife Marrienne, son Fabion, 18, and daughter Sabrina, 16, from Switzerland, had been living in Waimarama for five years before they became New Zealand citizens.

Mr Faes said the ceremony meant a lot to the family.

"It's very special, it's quite a moment," he said.

"I think the way it's done, it gives you a little bit goose bumps, and I think 'wow' about all the effort people have gone to."

He said the family were looking forward to being official "Kiwis".

"The warmth of the people, the Kiwis, it's a special bunch of people."