Citizenship Ceremony

All successful candidates who are granted New Zealand citizenship are required to attend a citizenship ceremony. Attending this ceremony is a very important step in the process of becoming a New Zealand citizen. It is an opportunity for you to publicly declare your allegiance to New Zealand and for the local community to welcome you on behalf of New Zealanders.

Councils are not responsible for granting citizenship. Council coordinates New Zealand citizenship ceremonies for new citizens residing or working in the Coromandel.

Enquiries about citizenship and applications for citizenship should be made to the Department of Internal Affairs. 

Please contact: Department of Internal Affairs 0800 22 51 511

2025 Schedule of Ceremonies: 

  • Thursday 27 February 2025
  • Thursday 5 June 2025
  • Thursday 7 August 2025
  • Thursday 20 November 2025

For ceremony enquiries please contact us on 07 868 0200 or email governance.services@tcdc.govt.nz

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at a Citizenship Ceremony?


After swearing allegiance to His Majesty the King, that candidate finally becomes a New Zealand citizen and is presented a citizenship certificate. As a special touch, we provide new citizens with a native tree to plant at home as a symbol of becoming a New Zealander and choosing to put roots down in this country. Light refreshments are served after each ceremony

How many guests may attend?

Two to four guests are entitled to accompany each individual being granted citizenship at the ceremony. However, additional guests may be permitted depending on individual circumstances.

Please contact us on 07 868 0200 or emailgovernance.services@tcdc.govt.nz

What is the schedule of Ceremonies?

Ceremonies are held four times a year. All ceremonies start at 9:30am and are usually held in the Council Chambers in Thames or the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre dependent on the number of candidates. Ceremonies are officiated by our Mayor or Deputy Mayor.


Oath of allegiance and Affirmation of allegiance

Candidates must recite the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation of Allegiance in either English or te reo Māori before becoming a New Zealand Citizen. This will be provided to candidates to read from in A3 size on the day of the Ceremony.

The Oath of Allegiance in English is:

“I [say 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 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.”

The Oath of Allegiance in te reo Māori is:

 “Ko ahau, ko[say your name]e kī taurangi ana ka pirihonga ahau, ka piripono ki Te Arikinui Kīngi Tiāre te Tuatoru, te Kīngi o Aotearoa, me ōna uri ake me ōna whakakapi e ai ki te ture, ā, ka aro pirihonga ahau ki ngā ture o Aotearoa me te whakatutuki i āku mahi hei kirirarau o Aotearoa. Nō reira e te Atua, āwhinatia mai ahau.”

 

The Affirmation of Allegiance in English is:

“I [say your name] 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 law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen.”

The Affirmation of Allegiance in te reo Māori is:

“Ko ahau, ko[say your name]tēnei e whakaū pono ana ka pirihonga ahau, ka piripono ki Te Arikinui Kīngi Tiāre te Tuatoru, te Kīngi o Aotearoa, me ōna uri ake me ōna whakakapi e ai ki te ture, ā, ka aro pirihonga ahau ki ngā ture o Aotearoa me te whakatutuki i āku mahi hei kirirarau o Aotearoa.”


You can listen to an audio example of the oath and affirmation in te reo Māori on the New Zealand Government website.


Apply for a passport

Apply for an NZ passport

After you have received your citizenship certificate, you can apply for a New Zealand passport. This is a separate process.

New Zealand passports