Ashburton’s population officially grew by 61 this week, with over a fifth moving from the Philippines.

Residents from the United Kingdom, Pacific islands, Asia and beyond were welcomed to Mid Canterbury by Mayor Neil Brown at the last citizenship ceremony of the year.

“You share a common bond with all New Zealanders, regardless of our different backgrounds,” he said.

“You bring the history and heritage of your homeland to your new status as a citizen to New Zealand, thereby enriching us all.”

He said everyone who lived in New Zealand had migrated, or were descendants of migrants, to the country at some point which laid out common ground.

“We look forward to you spending many years in our district.”

To be eligible for citizenship, a person must have lived in New Zealand for at last five years.

Most people at the ceremony had called Mid Canterbury home for longer than that.

Ryan Lantano first moved here 14 years ago, taking up dairy farm work.

He’s since joined ANZCO’s ranks, and doesn’t expect to move from here any time soon.

“I find Ashburton is a nice place, I really do enjoy the town – it’s very quiet and peaceful here.

“During my spare time, I can go for a walk or a hike.”

He wore traditional tribal attire for his affirmation, sporting both men’s and women’s clothing to represent his place in the LGBTQA community.

Lantano said the growing Filipino presence in Mid Canterbury was a major draw for him to stay here.

“There’re a lot of us Filipinos here, I quite like it.

“It’s not hard to settle down, because you have the same people and same culture here.”

Per the 2023 Census, Asburton’s Asian-identifying population has grown by almost a third, 32.9%, since the last count in 2018.

Filipinos make up a large majority, with the Filipino Dairy Workers in New Zealand claims the population is upwards of 4000 individuals.

For Mosese Likiliki, who’s spent a decade working here as a telecommunications engineer, the affirmation provides security and assurance for his family’s future in New Zealand.

“It means everything.”

“I’ve been here over 11 years now.

“This was my first choice when I came to New Zealand.”

He said there is a small Tongan population in Ashburton but it’s steadily growing, which tracks with our islander population increasing by 22% in the most recent census.

For now, Mosese, wife Valenitina and son Mosese Jr are just happy to officially be Kiwis.

Other citizens have moved from Hungary, South Africa, Germany, Fiji, New Caledonia and more.

By Anisha Satya