New birth and citizenship certificates mark 175th Treaty anniversary

The Department of Internal Affairs will mark 175 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi with new commemorative birth and citizenship certificates.

Jeff Montgomery, Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and General Manager of Citizenship, says the commemorative certificates will be available for a limited time.

“Births, Deaths and Marriages will offer a special birth certificate option in honour of this anniversary. The commemorative birth certificate includes the Waitangi 175 logo and is available alongside the existing decorative certificates from 6 February until the end of the year.”

“The Department’s citizenship office is also taking part in the celebrations,” Mr Montgomery says.

“As New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty addressed citizenship. To recognise this, all citizenship certificates issued from 6 February until the end of the year will include the Waitangi 175 logo.
The Department of Internal Affairs is one of many government agencies that have formed the Waitangi 175 working group to coordinate planning and initiatives across the Government for this event of national significance.

“It’s exciting to be working alongside the other departments, such as Conservation, and Prime Minister and Cabinet, and ministries such as Culture and Heritage, and Education. Te Puni Kōkiri and the New Zealand Defence Force are also an important part of the team. Taking an across-government approach to this celebration has really enabled us to find new and exciting ways to bring advantages to New Zealanders.”
The release of the special citizenship certificates coincides with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Peter Dunne’s launch of a new book Choice Whiriwhiria: The New Zealand Citizenship Story. The book celebrates the value that new New Zealanders add to our national identity.

The new citizenship certificate and the book were on display at four special Waitangi Day citizenship ceremonies, hosted by the Governor General at Government House in Wellington, by Christchurch and Hamilton City Councils, and the New Zealand High Commission in Apia. 120 people celebrated the day by becoming new citizens, from a range of nations including South Africa, the Philippines, Iraq, France and Chile.

“Choice Whiriwhiria showcases the role of new citizens in shaping the New Zealand of tomorrow,” Mr Dunne said.

As New Zealand society changes and becomes more diverse, it’s critical that we welcome new immigrants to our country and applaud them for their willingness to commit to their new home by becoming citizens. Councils around the country will distribute the book to new citizens at the many citizenship ceremonies that are held every day.”

A welcoming video has also been released, featuring messages from the Governor-General and Mr Dunne, intended to be shown at the citizenship ceremonies.
“For most of our new citizens, the ceremony is end of a journey that began with the decision to migrate to New Zealand,” Mr Montgomery says. “This isn’t an overnight journey – it takes years to complete, given the five year residence requirement for citizenship.

It’s vital that we take the time to recognise and acknowledge the commitment and decision these new Kiwis have made, and the role they play in strengthening New Zealand’s national identity.”
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