The Mosgiel resident was thrilled to become a citizen along with 70 other candidates in a ceremony at the Dunedin Centre yesterday.
When she first moved to the country from southern India with her husband Prasad Nayudu in 2018, everything was completely different.
"I had no idea of the culture, but I think I’m slowly getting it."
The biggest difference was how diverse and integrated New Zealand was, and how warmly the people treated new-comers.
She was "very excited" to become a certified citizen, two months after her husband — who was there to support her at the ceremony, along with their son Neeraj Nayudu (13 months).
She was celebrating by taking plenty of photos to share with family and friends, including those back in India.
She hoped the next generation of her family would all stay in the country when they grew up.
The pair also believed there were better work opportunities. She would soon be starting a new job teaching maths and physics at the Catlins Area School.
New citizens were presented with a kōwhai, which they would have lots of space for in their garden, she said.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich oversaw the ceremony.
The list of new citizens includes.—
Ibrahim Abdul Karim Aboud Agha (Syria), Abdul Karim Othman Aboud Agha (Syria), Mariam Abdul Karim Aboud Agha (Syria), Riham Abdul Karim Aboud Agha (Syria), Taghrid Mohamad Ali Kadour (Syria), Sonia Alexanian (Egypt), Marisa Narag Baricat (Philippines), Hamza Bennani (Morocco), Avani Bolugoddu (India), Hari Prasad Bolugoddu (India), Chandra Gurram (India), Karlrenn Miguel Nucum Bucad (Philippines), Andries Burger (South Africa), Eva Myrthe Captijn (Netherlands), Khrystine Angelique Garcia Carullo (Philippines), Feng-Chang Chang (Taiwan), Ryan Yoko Chang (United States), Meng-Yi Sheng (Taiwan), Ryder Akira Chang (United States), Jo Ann Shann Shann Chin (Malaysia), Robert Howard Clarke (South Africa), Naresh Kumar Dagar (India), Vijaya Lakshmi Devanaboina (India), Gil Sellem (France), Scott John Easton (Scotland), Penieli Brian Faigame (Samoa), Neil Ferguson (Philippines), Felix Orlando Hill (United Kingdom), Griffin Alexander Hill (United Kingdom), Aurora Alice Hill (United Kingdom), Zigani Jane Hill (United Kingdom), Christopher Henry Hinton (Kenya), Lesley Smith (Scotland), Juan Carlos Manabat Javier (Philippines), Alfredo Jr Breta Labay (Philippines), Maria Asuncion Bermillo Labay (Philippines), Jayvee Earl Juayno Lascuna (Philippines), Ryan Leslie (United Kingdom), Hildegard Maria Lubcke (Germany), Ralf Lubcke (Germany), Gina Romo Lusares (Philippines), Armando Jose Rodado Amaris (Colombia), Arunesh Majumder (India), Cushla Mae Anne Melville (United Kingdom), Anthony John Morison (Australia), Pamela Morris (United Kingdom), Andrew Peter Morton (United Kingdom), James Aiden Murphy (Ireland), Nigel John Paragreen (Australia), Jesse Caballo Realista (Philippines), Caitlin Grace Rolfe (Australia), Karen Marie Rolfe (Australia), Ariel Napiza Santos (Philippines), Job Adriel Santos (Australia), Rhys Gabriel Santos (Australia), Maricris Bocago Aringo (Philippines), Ma Theresa Dumaguita Sevilla (Philippines), Ann Shacklady-Smith (United Kingdom), James Robert Theobald (England), Philippus Johannes Theron (South Africa), Anja Eliza Theron (South Africa), Danielle Theron (South Africa), Zion Fitutasi Tofilau (Samoa), Janika Ponce Torres (Philippines), Aaron Robert Rojas Torres (Philippines), Hanneri Wilkie (South Africa), Sujan Yellagunda Ramalinge Gowda (India).
