Erin Batoy, 6, Jazlyn Batoy, 8, Jackie Batoy, Anthony Batoy, Anthony Jr Batoy, 1, and Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt celebrate at the citizenship services. Anthony moved to New Zealand eight years ago, and Jackie seven.

A Filipino family which is running a business in the south can now call themselves citizens as well.

Invercargill is officially home to 17 new New Zealand citizens who on Thursday morning were given their New Zealand citizenship at the Invercargill City Council.

The Batoy family, from the Philipines, said they were excited to be newly-official New Zealand citizens.

Jackie Batoy said Invercargill was home.

"It's a peaceful place and it's nice people. It's very lovely and friendly and supportive here when we started out here."

Batoy said that she moved to Invercargill seven years ago, and her husband Anthony Batoy moved eight years ago.

"We feel like we're not new."

The Batoys were managing their own business and both worked in the region.

Their favourite places to travel were Wanaka and Queenstown.

"In the break we go on holiday because it's only that time we can spend and it's like a family bonding.

"We're trying to see all the places."

The Batoys' daughters, Jazlyn, 8, and Erin, 6, said they went to St Patricks School and had nice teachers.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt had some words of advice to the new citizens.

"The first thing to remember is that this country loves sport.

"We're in a state of anxiety at the moment about where our result will be in the Rugby World Cup."

Shadbolt said he hoped they would bring their culture and cuisine to the city.

"We encourage you to get involved in your community as much as possible."