Hastings will welcome 30 new New Zealanders at a citizenship ceremony to be held on Wednesday 26th September 2012, from 6 pm in the Hastings District Council Chambers.

The candidates’ nationalities are as follows:

Argentinean                          1

British                                   5

Belgian                                 1

Chinese                                1

Filipino                                  4

Indian                                   1

Italian                                    1

Kenyan                                 1

Samoan                               13

South African                       1

South African Zimbabwean 1

A Kaumatua will welcome those present on behalf of tangata whenua.

Hastings District Council Councillors will present each candidate with a kowhai tree to symbolise “putting down roots”.