It is a new beginning for 32 Samoans who were awarded their New Zealand citizenship by the New Zealand High Commission in Samoa on Wednesday.

The High Commission hosted a special citizenship ceremony in Apia, welcoming the 32 new citizens.

New Zealand High Commissioner Si’alei van Toor congratulated the new citizens, acknowledging their perseverance and personal journeys.

“Today is a very special day for many of you,” said Ms van Toor.

“Congratulations to all of you who are becoming New Zealand citizens. For some, this moment is the result of great perseverance — a reflection of your commitment to being part of the New Zealand story.”

She highlighted that citizenship represents more than legal status — it signifies a shared allegiance to New Zealand, its values, and its people.

“New Zealand citizenship represents a shared allegiance to New Zealand, its future, and to each other,” she said. “It links those who are New Zealanders by birth to those who are New Zealanders by choice.”

Reflecting on New Zealand’s evolving identity, Ms van Toor noted the nation’s transformation from a bicultural society to a vibrant multicultural one.

“Almost 80 years ago, when my grandparents left Samoa to live in New Zealand, it was a largely bicultural country. Fast forward to today, and 41 per cent of people living in Auckland were born overseas.”

She added that New Zealand citizenship continues to connect people across the Pacific — including those in the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau — through strong cultural and historical ties.

“As you receive your citizenship today, your plans will differ... Whatever your journey, you will carry with you the shared spirit of belonging that defines what it means to be a New Zealander,” she said.

Among the new citizens was Cecilia Bartley, a mother of five, who received her citizenship alongside her four children. “It really was just me getting on to doing the paperwork; it was probably a bit of procrastination on my part,” she laughed.

Her husband, a New Zealand citizen by descent for 20 years, enabled their application. Their eldest son, already studying in New Zealand, also holds citizenship.

Grateful and relieved, Mrs Bartley said, “We are still based here in Samoa, but we’re planning to go at the end of the year to see family in NZ. My sister lives in Auckland, and we are happy that we can now go see them anytime we want.”