Whakatāne District Council hosts up to six citizenship ceremonies a year to formally present residents from overseas with their New Zealand citizenship.
The Mayor conducts the ceremony, and once the Oath or Affirmation has been completed by the applicant, a certificate of citizenship is presented. At that moment they become a New Zealand citizen.
Although it’s a formal occasion, applicants are encouraged to bring along family and friends to share their special moment. There are generally between 12 and 25 applicants at each ceremony.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, applicants and their guests are invited to afternoon tea with the Mayor.
To apply for New Zealand citizenship, contact the Department of Internal Affairs.
Successful in your application? Congratulations! What next?
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) decides who gets invited to citizenship ceremonies, while we (the Council) are responsible for hosting them. If you have any questions about your ceremony invite, we recommend that you contact your case manager at DIA directly.
Ceremony Dates
- Friday, 9 February 2024
- Friday, 15 March 2024
- Friday, 24 May 2024
- Friday, 2 August 2024
Ceremonies are held at the Whakatāne District Council building, 14 Commerce Street in Whakatāne. We recommend arriving at 10:45 am for an 11 am start.
To learn more about citizenship ceremonies, email info@whakatane.govt.nz or call us on 07 306 0500.