2 November 2022

Message from the General Manager

Tēnā koe – hello.

Our team have now completed the mahi on updating the Choice video for playing at citizenship ceremonies. The new version refers to King Charles III and is available at www.psi.govt.nz. For your convenience, you'll find direct links to the new video in this newsletter. When you start using the new video you will no longer need to acknowledge The Queen in ceremonies.

Also in this issue, we encourage councils to support new candidates that want to take the oath or affirmation in te reo Māori during your ceremonies.

Kia pai tō rā (Have a good day)
Julia

Julia Wootton
General Manager
Services and Access

New Choice video is available

The new version of the Choice Whiriwhiria video is now available for download at www.psi.govt.nz/home/guidance/guidance-for-citizenship-ceremonies under the heading "Choice Whiriwhiria video". This special video has been developed for councils to welcome new citizens. For your convenience, here are the brand new links that replace the old:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/HGhjXLC19M8
MP4 file for download (583 MB): www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/Choice-citizenship-2022/$file/Choice-NZ-citizenship-story-October-2022.mp4. Click on the link and allow a few seconds for the file to download as it is a large file. Once downloaded, go to your desktops "Download" folder to access the MP4 file. If you encounter issues contact CitizenshipCeremonies@dia.govt.nz.

Planning guide is being updated

The New Zealand Citizenship Ceremonies Planning Guide for councils is currently being updated. Once completed, it will automatically replace the version at www.psi.govt.nz/home/guidance/guidance-for-citizenship-ceremonies/. We expect to have that mahi completed before the Christmas holidays.

Criteria for a Private ceremony

Everyone aged 14 or over is required to attend a public ceremony.

Private ceremonies require the consent of the Minister. The only people that automatically qualify for a private ceremony are those that were waived from the English language requirement.

If a candidate thinks they have exceptional circumstances (i.e a family emergency) that would require a private ceremony, they need to contact CitizenshipCeremonies@dia.govt.nz

Whakatairangahia te Oati Rauranga i Te Reo Māori

Most new citizens by grant are required to attend a ceremony and take an oath or affirmation to confirm their allegiance to New Zealand. Over the last few years, an increasing number of people have taken their oath in te reo Māori. The use of te reo Māori in this way offers an opportunity for a shared sense of national identity.

Spoken recording to assist councils with pronunciation

A spoken recording of the te reo Māori versions of the oath and affirmation will be available in the near future on www.psi.govt.nz/home/guidance/guidance-for-citizenship-ceremonies/. The recording will assist councils with the correct pronunciation.

Kirirarautanga o Aotearoa

New Zealand Citizenship

Te Oati ki te Ariki Tapairu

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.

Oath of Allegiance

I [say 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 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 Whakaū Pono i te Noho Pūmau

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.

Affirmation of Allegiance

I [say your name] 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 law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen.

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