The time is just after midnight on 4 September 2008. A single figure strides through the biting cold at the Wellington airport, having departed O.R. Tambo airport just on 24 hours earlier.
A few months later, a figure accompanied by a 4-year-old and a 11-year-old, around midnight of 25th December strides through the same space, having left O.R. Tambo on 24 December.
The first person in September was our son Clayton, arriving to start a new job with a large company in Wellington city. The other person arriving in December was our daughter Bianca, with our grandchildren Tyler and Brynn under her care.
That was 2008. Since then, just on six years have passed, and last night Wednesday 1 October 2014 marked a milestone for this young Waikanae family, a family of New Zealanders as from the moment when they took the Oath of Allegiance at the Council Chambers of the KCDC in Paraparaumu.
Just before 7:00pm we arrived at the hall as guests to Clayton, Bianca, Tyler and Brynn to be able to witness our children and grandchildren receiving the certificates which prove their newly-gained citizenship.
“I, Clayton James Andrews of Waikanae, swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, her heirs and successors, according to law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen, so help me God.”
After the opening prayer, then the introduction of dignitaries, and the opening speech by Mayor Ross Church, the taking of the Oath was taken by 40 new citizens. This was done in alphabetical sequence, “Andrews” topping the list.
(Above): The Andrews clan organising themselves in p-reparation of their turn at the front of the hall. Apologies to Bianca for the poor quality of photo taken from our guest zone seat near the back.
The full names of Clayton, Bianca, Tyler and Brynn were called as a group. They stood in front of the other applicants and their guests, each in turn stated his/her name and address, and then the group read out in unison the Oath of Allegiance.
By way of congratulations, the members of the audience clapped for each applicant or group, followed by official photos of the applicants and photos with their guests/families.
Congratulations to each of you, Clayton, Bianca, Tyler and Brynn. We are proud of you, and are overjoyed that you have reached this milestone in life.
Just before the closing prayer, the National Anthem was sung in Maori and English,
“E Ihoa, Atua,
O nga iwi, matou ra,
Ata whakarongo na,
Me aroha noa
Kia hua, ko te pai,
Kia tau to atawhai,
Manaakitia mai,
Aotearoa
God of nations at thy feet,
In the binds of love we meet,
Hear our voices we entreat,
God defend our free land
Guard Pacific’s triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.”
A light dinner and tea was served after what was a pleasant and very memorable evening.
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