"I burst into tears in front of them," he said.
"I never believed I’d be sitting here and accepting this citizenship ... I’m grateful and thankful."
Mr Kaufusi was one of nearly 40 new New Zealand citizens commemorated at the Dunedin Centre yesterday.
The Tonga-born panelbeater and truck driver had lived in New Zealand for eight and a-half years.
His reason for coming here was simple: family.
Coming to New Zealand allowed him to connect with cousins, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters he otherwise might never have met.
Mr Kaufusi said the chance to be officially made a citizen was both exciting and emotional.
"It’s more than just being given a piece of paper."
He was excited for all the opportunities that lay before him and was proud to represent New Zealand.
"I think this is a new journey for my life now that I have become a citizen."
"It’s a new journey, starting today."
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said it was his pleasure to officiate the "final step" in the recipients’ journey towards becoming a New Zealand citizen.
New citizens were given a native plant, as a symbol of planting their roots in a new country, he said.
Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council president Lux Selvanesan and executive member Geoff Mitchell were present.
New citizens are: Jan Frederick Saturnino Agliam (Philippines), Zoe Lumi Tigor Barbenel (France), Richard Buckmaster (Australia), Cyrus Godwill Christopher Barnabas (India), Hsin-Yi Chuang (Taiwan), Geoffrey Allan Craig (Australia), Carla Patricia Alcance dela Cruz (Philippines), Saeed Ebrahim (Syria), Fadila Nadim Eidi (Syria), Moustafa Mohamad Amin Sotari (Lebanon), Rimas Mohamad Amin Sotari (Syria), Mohamad Amin Mustafa Sotari (Syria), Paula Jean Hogan (United Kingdom), Paul John Hogan (United Kingdom), Tamanna Jahangir (India), Umair Khan (India), Manzar Ali Khan (India), Obaid Khan (Saudi Arabia), Manase Kaufusi (Tonga), David Francis John Morgans-Lea (England), Janet Ruth Morgans-Lea (United Kingdom), Kimberly Mutengezanwa (Zimbabwe), Alex Charles Norrie (Scotland), Jacinta Ann Payne (Australia), Anna Mae Cayocyoc Requierme (Philippines), Bruce Malcolm Russell (Australia), Rossarin Suwanarusk (Thailand), Matthew Russell Suwanarusk (Singapore), Mina Helen Suwanarusk (Thailand), Pamela May Smith (Scotland) Derek Bray Smith (England), Alison Margaret Stewart-Piere (Australia), Emma Louise Strybosch (Australia), Epeli Veikoso (Fiji), Richmond Lajato Villanueva (Philippines), Graham Neil Warman (United Kingdom), Tzu-Hsien Yang (Taiwan), Jungah Yoon (Republic of Korea), Kerrie Ann Young (Australia).
