Becoming NZ citizen a bittersweet moment

Celebrating becoming a New Zealand citizen at the Dunedin Town Hall almost exactly eight years since first coming here is Dr Shalini Kumar with her daughter Michelle Daniel, 8. PHOTOS: LINDA ROBERTSON

Becoming a New Zealand citizen yesterday was a bittersweet moment for one Dunedin woman at the citizenship ceremony in the town hall yesterday.

Dr Shalini Kumar left her home in Kerala, India eight years and two days ago to study for her PhD at the University of Otago.

Sanaa Al Naser, of Syria, became one of New Zealand’s newest citizens while holding Lellas Al Ali, 2.

She said getting her New Zealand citizenship was a tough choice due to India not recognising dual citizenship.

"I came to this ceremony with mixed feelings as I had to renounce my Indian citizenship to accept my New Zealand citizenship, but the ceremony made me feel better and better, and more welcomed, so I started to feel that I did make the right decision."

Dr Kumar was one of 68 people who became New Zealand citizens yesterday.

Celebrating their parents (from left) Dhanya Mathew and Jiss Thomas, of India, becoming New Zealand citizens yesterday were Isabel Jiss, 3, and Matthew Thomas, 6 months.

She was now an overseas citizen of India, but the renouncing of her Indian citizenship was a mixed bag, Dr Kumar said.

"This is the eighth year, almost to the day, of us coming to New Zealand. Even though my daughter was born in India she is pretty much a Kiwi with the accent and everything — Dunedin is her home."

Dr Kumar completed a PhD specialising in neuroscience from the University of Otago in 2020, and is now working as a project manager for an "agribusiness genetic space company".

Siblings Jeddydiah, 14, and Paea, 12, Faataui Solofuti, of Samoa.

Now that she had her citizenship, the next step was getting her daughter hers, Dr Kumar said.

It took Dr Kumar about two years to get New Zealand citizenship.

"It was a long process, so it definitely called for a huge celebration."

Mother-daughter duo Lavinia Cikamatana and Janet Cikamatana, 15, of Fiji.

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich oversaw the ceremony.

New citizens: Shaid Fareed Ali (Fiji), Sanaa Ahmad Alnaser (Syria), Saju Baby (India), Akash Balakrishnan (India), Sierra Christine Beck (United States), Adam Christopher Pomerleau (US), Tina Bjelic (Germany), Jeremy Rhea Maliones Chicay (Philippines), Sutthira Chumsaeng (Thailand), Janet Adimateiwai Cikamatana (New Zealand), Lavinia Cikamatana (Fiji), Jan Hendrik Claasen (South Africa), Louie Talitha Claasen (South Africa), Sara da Silva Teles Grangeio Ferreira (Portugal), Anna Louise Demarcy (UK), Sebastian Edward Francis Demarcy (Martinique), Katherine Niamh Dillingham (Ireland), Jean Louis Du Preez (South Africa), Cassian Jean Du Preez (South Africa), Kassidy Mariska Du Preez (South Africa), Dannielle Caitlin Eagles (Australia), Paea Ario Faataui Solofuti (Samoa), Jeddydiah Suaesi Faataui Solofuti (Samoa), Lordynne Epe Fagyan (Philippines), Johafyn Tyrone Zarate Fagyan (Philippines), Jordi Foraster Marrase (Spain), Fransune Fourie (South Africa), Ceridwen Fraser (Australia), Nina Karel Alonzo Frio (Philippines), Calum Rhys Furzeman (UK), Christopher Robert Good (England), Yuji Ichikawa (Japan), George Kay (UK), Sungyun Kim (Republic of Korea), Monique Celeste Kruger (South Africa), Francoise Kruger (South Africa), Zian Paul Kruger (South Africa), Shalini Shaji Kumar (India), Muna Mohamad Lababidi (Syria), Marck Kevin Geonzon Laurio (Philippines), John Isaac Lewis (South Africa), Amber Elizabeth Little (UK), Hannah Louise Kelynack Loughney (France), Mathew John Loughney (UK), Laura Anne MacDonald (UK), Rei Mahara (China), Lucky Charlson Gloria Manaya (Philippines), Lovely Karlson Gloria Manaya (Philippines), Gregory Peter Marcar (UK), Dhanya Mathew (India), Jiss Thomas (India), Natalia Pickup (Russia), Narun Pornpattananangkul (Thailand), Sandra Rampe (Germany), Christian Michael Rampe (Germany), Sergey Ryazanov (Russia), Melody Skye Shanks (Australia), Mehul Sharma (India), Rowena Margaret Simons (UK), Vicki Ann Spencer (Australia), Quinn Schaughency Thorsnes (US), Zane Patrick Unverferth (US), Marie Angela Vaeau (Samoa), Edward James Charles West (UK), Nicola Williams (UK), Wenting Zhang (China).

laine.priestley@odt.co.nz