By Rachel Tiffen
It has been a special Waitangi Day for 24 people in Wellington.
It is their first as Kiwis because all of them only became citizens this afternoon.
Ti kouka, or cabbage tree seedlings, were gifted to mark new life on New Zealand soil.
It is a tree that flourishes here and it is hoped these citizens will too.
The Stamenov family moved out from Bulgaria seven years ago.
“It's so nice and the outdoor's great,” says Rilka Taskova-Stamenov. “You can go on a wonderful holiday.”
For South African-born Zoe Lilley, New Zealand has always been home, but she hedges her bets with the rugby.
“When the All Blacks are versing the Springboks I support both,” says Ms Lilley.
In delivering his first Waitangi Day address, Governor General Jerry Mateparae paid tribute to New Zealand's changing face.
“People from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe have settled here, bringing with them many musical, artistic, linguistic, culinary and cultural influences that continue to shape the New Zealand of today,” he said.
3 News