Being a Kiwi well worth the wait

A celebratory fist pump marked the beginning of life as a bona fide Kiwi for former Russian boxing champion Olga Gavrilova.

As she finished swearing allegiance to the Queen and the country before Marlborough mayor Alistair Sowman yesterday, Mrs Gavrilova, who now lives in Renwick was overjoyed.

"This was really, really exciting ... It's been a long ride six whole years," she said.

Supported by friends and family, the Orb Communications sales consultant was one of 14 people to become New Zealand citizens in a ceremony at the Marlborough District Council chambers.

Originally from Kamchatka in Russia's far east, Mrs Gavrilova settled in Auckland in 2003, where she met her husband Serge Gavrilov, who is also from Russia.

In February 2006, the couple shifted to Marlborough.

Although an injury means she no longer boxes, in 2000 she was the Russian champion in the 60 to 63 kilogram middle-weight class.

When asked how she was at singing the national anthem, Mrs Gavrilova admitted she still had some work to do on the English version, but the Maori was easy.

"It's the vowel sounds, they're much easier for me," she said.

Last night she intended celebrating with family and friends: "It's going to be a big party; it's going to be great ... I'm so happy to finally be a real Kiwi."

- JO GILBERT/Marlborough Express