14-05-2025
Citizens embrace NZ, the cold
New New Zealand citizen Samyuktha Venkataraman flanked by her friends Fajar Zeeshan (left) and Siya Pathak at the citizenship ceremony in Dunedin yesterday. Photo: Gregor Richardson
The Ganaii family are happy to accept Dunedin's cooler climate in exchange for the many opportunities the city has provided them.
The Papua New Guinean family of three received their citizenship and made Dunedin their permanent home at a ceremony in the Fullword room of the town hall yesterday afternoon.
Nembeka Ganaii said she missed the sweltering temperatures back home but was getting used to the cold southerlies in Dunedin.
"When we're in jackets it's just normal."
Her husband, Francis, moved to Dunedin in 2016 to work as an underground surveyor for OceanaGold.
He had heard lots of good things about New Zealand and was looking forward to working here.
"I really wanted to come over and took the opportunity when it was given to me."
It took a little bit of adjustment to get used to the New Zealand lifestyle.
"It's different from where I come from but I see that it's a friendly place to live and good for my family."
Mr Ganaii wanted his son to grow up in Dunedin.
It meant a lot for him and his family to receive citizenship.
"It gives us a new perspective on life."
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich oversaw the ceremony.
New citizens: Ibrahim Abdo Sayed (Sudan), Laila Hachchane (Morocco), Amber Huang Adams (Taiwan), Racha Ibrahim Aljomaa (Syria), Hans Almore (Saudi Arabia), Issa Alsharif (United Arab Emirates), Nikhil Mahindranath Ambalathankandy (India), Nipra Nitant Chavan (India), Mariya Joseph Arackathara (India), Digin Johnson (India), John Mathew Chakkiath (India), Leslie Jeyapalan Ayathuray (Singapore), Susanne Bernard-Kwak (Germany), Nemi Kelea Breitbarth (New Zealand), Eike Breitbarth (Germany), Linn Jutta Hoffmann (Germany), CL Claridge (Australia), Jonathan Michael Comben (United Kingdom), Claire Concannon (Ireland), Nedal Ebrahim (Syria), Ebtesam Saleh (Syria), Nembeka Mauri Ganaii (Papua New Guinea), Garthruth Ganaii (Papua New Guinea), Francis Douglas Ganaii (Papua New Guinea), Yoshi Senoran Geerlofs (Philippines), Karimeh Gholami (Afghanistan), Amir Hossain Rasoli (Iran), Sarah Daniela Helena Herridge (Germany), Markus Hilbring (Germany), Christine Verena Nock (Germany), Tanyapath Hongsuwankul (Thailand), Nicholas Horlacher (Germany), Chia-Tzu Hsu (Taiwan), Rebecca Hughes (UK), David Jason Kelbe (United States), Xabier Mikel Koskuba (Australia), Hannah Lucy Lane (UK), Jacob Morgan Lane (UK), Linto Lawrence (United Arab Emirates), Annon Linto (India), Josmy Linto (India), Emilie Germaine Nicole Lilley (France), Pamela Kristine Hoseña Mangila (Philippines), Amiel Manalo Mangila (Philippines), Dominique Ann Mans (South Africa), Nicholas Mans (South Africa), Michelle Gadi Montalban (Philippines), George Huelar Montalban (Philippines), George II Gadi Montalban (Philippines), Serenity Reign Gadi Montalban (Philippines), Christopher James Moore (UK), Nuntida Mungsan (Thailand), Daniel Lincoln Murphy (UK), Marilyn Palattao Pagaduan (Philippines), Thanongsak Panthasuep (Thailand), Siriporn Pattanasilaporn (Thailand), Shaynal Krishneel Prasad (Fiji), Pedro Ribaya Remoto (Philippines), Chawee Sammons (Thailand), Tristan Peter Sammons (UK), Lillian Louise Scott (US), Hardeep Singh (India), Myles William Hurst Smith (Australia), Tilly Harriet Surrey (England), Kerry Louise Taylor (Wales), Pasepa Veilofia (Tonga), Samyuktha Venkataraman (India), Ramon Ocampo Villanueva (Philippines), Alysse Hannah Vincent (US), Kyle Feng Xue (China).
