It all started with a blossoming romance. Falling in love with New Zealanders changed the lives of two of Central Otago's newest New Zealanders and led to them seeking citizenship.
Nicky Brookes and Miro Kollar were among five people who took part in a citizenship ceremony at the Central Otago District Council chambers yesterday.
Four of the new citizens, Mrs Brookes, Eric Hooks, Robert Brydges and Peter Mirfield are originally from England and Mr Kollar from the Czech Republic.
Mrs Brookes said she met Simon, her Kiwi husband-to-be, in South London.
''The friendship blossomed. I'm not entirely sure how, seeing as he started to support Chelsea football team - because they wore his rugby team's colours [blue and gold] - and I was an avid Arsenal supporter,'' she said.
She followed him back to New Zealand and they were married here in 2001.
They returned to settle again permanently in Otago after trying another stint living in London.
Mr Kollar, a chef, came to this country as a tourist and met his Kiwi wife-to-be in Cromwell.
''She told me she used to teach English as a second language and I was a chef, so we agreed if I cook for her, she'll give an English lesson.''
Nine years later, the couple are married and have two young children.
''I loved New Zealand from the first moment I arrived here, not only for its amazing landscape but mainly for its people. The kindness and friendliness of Kiwis is something unique and don't think you can find it anywhere in the world,'' he said.
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said all New Zealanders were from somewhere else.
''Our predecessors chose to come here, so we share a common heritage. To quote Martin Luther King: We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.''
Mayoress Bernie Lepper read out a short biography of each citizen which outlined their reasons for becoming a New Zealand citizen and the ceremony finished with the national anthem, led by the Alexandra Primary School choir.
Each of the new citizens was given a kowhai tree to mark the occasion.
