Oath of Citizenship (New Zealand)

The Oath of Citizenship, as opposed to the Oath of Allegiance, is for new New Zealand citizens to pledge loyalty to the Queen of New Zealand, Elizabeth II, and faithfully observe to the laws of New Zealand.

Oath

The Oath, recited by citizenship recipients in New Zealand, is as follows:

"I, [full name], swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her (or His) Majesty [specify the name of the reigning Sovereign, as thus: Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand,] Her (or His) 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."[1]

The oath of citizenship in Māori (known as Te Oati Haumi) is as follows (without macrons):

"Tenei au, a [name], te oati nei ka pirihongo au, ka noho au hei haumi tuturu ki te Mana Roera, ki a Kuini Irihapeti te Tuarua, te Kuini o Aotearoa, ana kawa me ana piki turanga i raro i te ture, a, ka u marika au ki nga ture o Aotearoa, ka whakatutuki ano hoki i nga kawenga kei runga i a au hei kirirarau o Aotearoa, i runga i nga manaakitanga a te atua."

The Oath of citizenship may be recited either in English or in Maori.

Affirmation

Those who object to adding 'God' to the end of an oath, may choose instead to make an Affirmation:

"I [name] solemnly and sincerely affirm 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 the law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen."

In Māori (called Te Whakautanga Haumi), this is (without macrons),

"Tenei au, a [name], te whakau nei i runga i te ngakau pono, i te ngakau pai, ka pirihongo au, ka noho au hei haumi tuturu ki a Kuini Irihapeti te Tuarua, te Kuini o Aotearoa, ana kawa me ana piki turanga i raro i te ture, a, ka u marika au ki nga ture o Aotearoa, ka whakatutuki ano hoki i nga kawenga kei runga i a au hei kirirarau o Aotearoa."

Citizenship ceremony
Main article: New Zealand nationality law

When an application for New Zealand citizenship is granted, applicants are required to attend a public citizenship ceremony.[2]

Citizenship ceremonies were first held in 1954.[3] Since 1955, groups of new citizens have publicly sworn allegiance to the Queen. New citizens from Commonwealth realms could take the oath in writing and get their certificates by post until 1996, when applicants were required to attend a public ceremony.

The public ceremony is a very important step in the process of becoming a New Zealand citizen. It is an opportunity for new citizens to publicly declare their allegiance to their new country and for the local community to welcome them on behalf of all New Zealanders. Here, applicants stand before an official person (normally the local Mayor) and take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance.

In doing so, applicants declare that they applicants will honour Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand (or if the oath is recited solely in Maori, to pledge to Kuini Irihapeti te Tuarua, te Kuini o Aotearoa), obey the laws of New Zealand and be a good citizen. It is only after swearing allegiance that applicants become a New Zealand citizen, and are presented with a Citizenship Certificate from the local mayor (or government officials in a private ceremony in the absence of the Mayoral ceremony). New citizens then join in the singing of God Defend New Zealand before enjoying a cup of tea or glass of wine, normally following the Loyal toast.

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See also

References
  1. "Citizenship Act 1977, Schedule 1, Oath of allegiance". Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  2. "Citizenship Ceremonies". Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  3. "Story: Citizenship – Page 5 – Becoming a citizen". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
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