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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:40am

A woman in a sari, carrying a plant and Deputy Mayor Malcolm Lyall laugh as a young girl in a sari runs away smiling carrying a small New Zealand flagPeople from around the world are choosing to call Selwyn home and become new Kiwi citizens here.

Since February last year, 559 people of 56 different nationalities have taken the oath of allegiance at the Council’s monthly citizenship ceremony.

British citizens were the most common taking up New Zealand nationality, providing 132 new citizens, followed by South Africa (91), India (51) and the Philippines (39).

However, the figures show people coming here from across the globe including Argentina, Cambodia, Kenya, Iceland, Uzbekistan and Zambia.

People from so many different countries choosing to move here is a sign of what a good place Selwyn is to live and a boost  for the district, Council Community Services Group Manager  Denise Kidd says. “We’re delighted to see so many people feel welcomed and have found a new place here. New migrants, wherever they are from, bring skills and stories that enrich us and help us grow as a community.”