​Celebrating New Citizens at Clutha District’s Citizenship Ceremony

Council staff member Marika Jose says becoming a citizen feels like the biggest milestone in her New Zealand story.

Marika was among a number of people to attend the council’s latest Citizenship Ceremony held on Monday, 4 May.

She first came to New Zealand in 2000 on an internship in Wellington from Kyiv, Ukraine, and met her now-husband Chris the day before she was scheduled to leave.

The pair built a life in Ukraine for many years, returning regularly to visit family and travel around New Zealand, before choosing to settle in the Clutha District in 2019 after falling in love with the Catlins and the Kaitangata community.

Marika says working in the council’s Information Management Team and serving the community gives her great satisfaction.

“After 25 years of visas and applications, I was amazed at how smooth the citizenship process was. With waiata from local school children and views over the Clutha River, the ceremony was incredibly special.”

The ceremony was held at Te Pou Ō Mata-Au and hosted by Mayor Jason (Jock) Martin and Council Chief Executive Steve Hill.

Mayor Martin says the ceremony is a heart-warming experience, and he is humbled to play a part in such a momentous milestone for Clutha’s newest citizens.

“It’s an honour to meet the recipients and formally welcome them to the Clutha District,” he says.

“Anybody is welcome to come along and experience it. The ceremony is a time for inclusion, celebrating diversity, belonging and heritage, and reinforcing that Clutha is a great place to live, work and play.”

Held every two months, the Citizenship Ceremony recognises the commitment of people from around the world who have chosen to make Aotearoa New Zealand their home.

Congratulations to Marika and to all newly recognised citizens.