Despite being granted citizenship in September, their ceremony was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
After much anticipation, they were able to mark the milestone at a ceremony and afternoon tea at the Dunedin Centre on Thursday, with their two children, Angel Maria Santhosh and Alna Maria Santhosh.
Ms Mathew said they were happy to finally be able to celebrate.
"Finally the time came - we are so glad. [New Zealand] is the best place. We are happy to be home here - so lucky."
She came to New Zealand in 2012 to work as a nurse.
Mr Kunnumpurath Jose joined her in 2014 and also landed a good job, as a forklift driver, she said.
"We decided to stay here and make it home."
Their first child, Angel, was born in 2015 and Alna in 2018.
"We both are settled with a good job now and the kids are happy."
Other new citizens:
Rosemary Swete Kelly (Australia), David Swete Kelly (Kenya), Jeffory Higbee (United States), Karen Cope (England), Anne Marie Marek (United States), Jonathan Hattrell (Australia), Stephen Mullins (England), Ali Hussein Balasmeh (Jordan), Maureen Stone (England), Laura Evers-Swindell (United Kingdom), Monica Carrer (Italy), Patricia Rigby (Australia), Michelle Lobo (England), Eduardo Lobo Altuve (Venezuela), Jasmine Lobo Linwood (England), Miliana Lobo Linwood (England), Karri Hartley (Australia), Sheena Boneng (Philippines), Soranan McNicoll (Thailand), Qin Dong (China), Maimoona Saboor (Pakistan), Sandra Anderson (Scotland), Rohan Tomar (India), Steven McCabe (Scotland), Sonia Hand (England), Richard Copland (England), Annette Neylon (England), Ryne Enriquez-Walker (Philippines).
