New citizens welcomed

Twenty-four people from 10 different countries have become Marlborough citizens.

The new citizens - from the Netherlands, India, Philippines, Germany, Fiji, South Africa, UK, Nigeria, Czech Republic and China - were welcomed at a special ceremony in Council Chambers.

Mayor Nadine Taylor told the group the day was an important milestone in their new lives as citizens of this province and country. In future they would all enjoy the rights and freedoms of native-born New Zealanders.