Hastings welcomes 17 new citizens

<p>Hastings will welcome 17 new New Zealanders at a citizenship ceremony to be held Monday 31 October 2011, from 6 pm in the Hastings District Council Chamber, Lyndon Road, Hastings.<br /> <br /> The candidates&rsquo; nationalities are as follows:</p> <p>Tongan 3 <br /> Thai 3<br /> Indian 1<br /> Australian 1<br /> American 6<br /> British 1<br /> Egyptian 1<br /> Italian 1<br /> <br /> A Kaumatua will welcome those present on behalf of tangata whenua.<br /> <br /> Hastings District Council Councillors will present each candidate with a kowhai tree to symbolise &ldquo;putting down roots&rdquo;.</p>