Oath of Citizenship (New Zealand)
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The purpose of the Oath of Citizenship, as opposed to the Oath of Allegiance, is for new New Zealand citizens to pledge their loyalty not only to the New Zealand Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, as the personification of the State and the personal symbol of allegiance, but also to the laws and customs of their new country. The Oath, recited by citizenship recipients in New Zealand, is as follows:
- "I [name] swear 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 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. ."
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[edit] Citizenship ceremony
When an application for New Zealand citizenship is approved, applicants are required to attend a public citizenship ceremony. The idea of citizenship ceremonies began in 1954 when the New Zealand government decided that the oath of allegiance sworn at the citizenship ceremony should be taken with due solemnity. It was ‘essential that any ceremony be restrained and dignified if it is not to become embarrassing’ to the New Zealanders involved, who would naturally be ‘conservative and unemotional in the matter of public display of feeling’. Since 1955, groups of new citizens have publicly sworn allegiance to the Queen[1] and loyalty to New Zealand by oath or affirmation.
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 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, 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. 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.
[edit] Affirmation of Allegiance
For those who object to adding ‘God’ to the end of an oath, may chose to take the Affirmation of Allegiance
- “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.”
[edit] Note
- ^ New citizens from countries where Queen Elizabeth was the head of state could take the oath in writing and get their certificates by post until 1996, when applicants too were required to attend a public ceremony.
