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Sheryl Mai: Whangārei citizenship ceremony first since pre-Covid times
9 May, 2021 05:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Mayor Sheryl Mai welcomes new citizens at Forum North during a citizenship ceremony in 2019. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Mayor Sheryl Mai welcomes new citizens at Forum North during a citizenship ceremony in 2019. Photo / Michael Cunningham
FROM THE MAYOR S DESK
In 1955, just four years before I was born, our modern form of citizenship ceremony was introduced. The history of New Zealand citizenship has been on my mind since Friday, when we held our first in-person Citizenship Ceremony since pre-Covid-19 times.
Officiating at these ceremonies is always a highlight for the council calendar, and the 41 new citizens on Friday were as delighted as I was to be celebrating in person rather than in isolation.
Intentionally divisive words and actions will never get us anywhere. I ve never understood why so many remain so staunchly against changing the date, and I m yet to hear many well-reasoned arguments. What harm does it cause? And more importantly, what is the big deal with making a move to ensure ALL Australians feel comfortable celebrating their country, instead of just some? Because it s tradition. Well guess what? Change the date, give it a few years, and you have a new tradition. And a much better tradition, because our day of celebration isn t simultaneously causing Indigenous Australians considerable pain. There are two clear sides to this debate. And the side who have to endure painful reminders of genocide and rank injustices committed against their ancestors while watching people drink beers and get rowdy in the name of patriotism all around them have much more grounds to be upset than the other side.