Citizenship

Want to become a New Zealand citizen?

• You need to apply to the Department of Internal Affairs to become a New Zealand Citizen.

• Council's role is to hold the ceremony

About the citizenship ceremony

Citizenship ceremonies are held by arrangement.  They can be a private affair conducted by the Mayor in his office at Council, 42 Hokianga Road, Dargaville, or at Council’s office of State Highway One, Kaiwaka or it can be a formal affair held in Council Chambers, Station Road, Dargaville at 3pm on the fourth Wednesday of every month which coincides with Council’s monthly meeting.

• The Department of Internal Affairs advises Council of the candidates’ names for each ceremony.

• You will receive an invitation from Council.

• The ceremony starts at a previously agreed time if it is to be a private affair or at 3pm if it is held in Council’s Chambers.  The formal event is finished with an afternoon tea to which you are encouraged to invite friends and family.

• Members of the local press attend to take group photographs and to write an editorial for their paper.

Successful applicants for New Zealand citizenship are required to attend a citizenship ceremony, where they will receive their citizenship certificate. 

Applicants stand before the Mayor and take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance, declaring they will honour Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, obey the laws of New Zealand and be a good citizen.

It is only after swearing allegiance that a person actually becomes a New Zealand citizen. Even though the Department of Internal Affairs provides separate approval, applicants are unable to call themselves a New Zealand citizen until they have taken part in a citizenship ceremony.

It is a very special day.