More than a decade later, he received his citizenship along with 43 other new Kiwis in Dunedin yesterday.
Mr Javes said becoming a citizen was very much an achievement for him and he was "over the moon".
Although, it was tough leaving Scotland, he wanted to become a New Zealand citizen because he loved the place and the people.
"It’s very multicultural with people from all over the world ... it’s just a fun, cool country to be in."
After backpacking around the North Island, Mr Javes moved to Queenstown for the "high life" and never left.
However, he had not become a full-blown All Blacks supporter.
"I’ll always be Scottish — you know what I mean."
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich oversaw the ceremony, and Cr Andrew Whiley was present.
Each citizenship recipient received a certificate and a native plant.
New citizens are: Amor Mitre Acero (Philippines), Estanislao Esma Acero (Philippines), Kirstie Louise Mitre Acero (Philippines), Kevin Mitre Acero (Philippines), Anthony Thura Arnold (Myanmar), Alexander Zaeya Arnold (Myanmar) Kyi Lai Lai Aung (Myanmar), Anju Mary Augustine (India), Mark Jeroen Biesheuvel (Netherlands), Karmella Marie Nucum Bucad (Philippines), John Byron (Ireland), Ann Marielle Repaso Edrad (Philippines), Eliza Jane Rose Glyn (United Kingdom), Krishna Chaitanya Gundluru (India), Gareth Ian Javes (Scotland), Wesley Jacques Jooste (South Africa), Miane Jooste (South Africa), Chrizelle Jooste (South Africa), Andries Jacobus Jooste (South Africa), Emma Jane Laurence (United Kingdom), Andrea Lemm (Germany), Jingjin Li (China), Joseph Pillejera Lim (Philippines), Alkaide de Guzman Quita (Philippines), Linda Marie McLay (Sweden), Isaac Izaac Olson (Sweden), Hanna-Sophia Olson (Sweden), Preema Paul (India), Harindi Poddiwala Kankanamge (Sri Lanka), Jeevananda Poddiwala Kankanamge (Sri Lanka), Harshith Poddiwala Kankanamge (Sri Lanka), Sumudu Lankani Tantirige (Sri Lanka), Thomas Schlegel (Germany), Vishal Kumar Sharma (India), Shaveta Sharma (India), Jayvie Chester Uy Sia (Philippines), Sandra Estelle Smedhall (Sweden), Amanda Jane Snell (United Kingdom), Ellen Mary Vaessen (Ireland), Saniya Yarif Vahora (India), Arvie Jan Liriel Valencia (Philippines), Kristal Joy Ricamara De Luna (Philippines), Simon Christopher Wilkins (United Kingdom), Victoria Louise Wilkins (United Kingdom).
