Citizenship ceremonies

Overview

Citizenship ceremonies are held by Upper Hutt City Council on behalf of the Department of Internal Affairs to welcome new citizens to New Zealand and confirm their citizenship

Candidates are required to attend a ceremony to declare publicly their commitment to New Zealand and recite an oath or affirmation of allegiance before becoming a New Zealand citizen. Candidates only become New Zealand citizens once the oath or affirmation has been sworn and the certificate of Citizenship has been presented.

While these ceremonies are hosted by Upper Hutt City Council, we are not responsible for allocating candidates to ceremony dates. This is the decision of the Department of Internal Affairs and you will be notified by them when your ceremony will take place. Ceremonies are by invitation only.

The ceremony

Upper Hutt City Council recognises the importance of New Zealand Citizenship and tries to make the ceremony an enjoyable experience for each candidate. 

The following process is undertaken:

• Opening address by the Mayor
• Candidates to take the oath or affirmation
• Presentation of certificates
• Concluding address
• National anthem
• Light refreshments served with the Mayor

Ceremony venue

The Citizenship ceremony is held at Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt.

Ceremony frequency

The Upper Hutt City Council works with the Department of Internal Affairs to arrange a ceremony once we have approximately 60 candidates available.

You will be notified by the Department of Internal Affairs when your ceremony will take place via a personal invitation and all the details you require to attend.

The following dates are tentatively set for 2025:

• 4 March
• 13 March
• 12 June
• 22 July
• 2 September
• 16 December

What to bring

Candidates are not required to bring anything along for the purpose of the ceremony itself. 

If candidates wish to use a camera to take photographs or a video camera to record the event, they are welcome to do so.

Depending on how many people are receiving their certificate of citizenship, each candidate will be able to invite one person to attend.

Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance

Candidates must recite the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation of Allegiance before becoming a New Zealand citizen.

• Oath of Allegiance:
  I (your name) swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of New Zealand, his heirs and successors according to the 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.
• Affirmation of Allegiance
  I (your name) solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of New Zealand,

  his heirs and successors according to the law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen.

Citizenship application fees and forms

For further information, including details of fees or to get an application form, please contact:

New Zealand Citizenship Office
Freephone: 0800 22 51 51 (New Zealand only)
Phone: (+64 4) 463 9361 (from outside New Zealand)
E-mail: citizenship@dia.govt.nz
Website: citizenship.govt.nz

To contact someone at Council regarding the ceremony:

Kerrie Falconer
Executive Assistant to the Mayor
P: 04-527 2189
E: kerrie.falconer@uhcc.govt.nz