A mobile consular team of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington successfully rendered a three-day consular outreach mission in Tokoroa, New Zealand on 28-30 April 2017. Held at the South Waikato Sports and Events Centre, a total of 536 services were provided.Of this number, 450 were on passport, 11 were on civil registration, i.e., reports of births and marriages, 25 on notarial/legalization and one on fingerprinting for National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance. There were also 49 individuals who were administered the Oath of Allegiance or Panunumpa ng Katapatan which is recited by immigrants who wish to retain or re-acquire Philippine citizenship. 370 Filipinos also registered for overseas voting (OV).

Apart from the Filipino community in Tokoroa, those who availed of the services and assistance offered by the consular mission included our kababayans from the neighbouring areas of the North Island. There were even some who travelled all the way from Auckland and Whangarei.

The consular services outreach was conducted pursuant to the Embassy’s policy, under the leadership of Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo, to extend assistance and support to Filipino nationals in New Zealand, among others, by providing them easier and more convenient access to its services.

Facilities for the mission were offered, out of kind generosity, by Mayor Jenny Shattock and the South Waikato District Council, through the North Island Filipino Farmers Association New Zealand (NIFFA-NZ) headed by Mr. Julius Caoing.

The mission was also an opportunity for the Embassy to personally respond to the applicants’ consular queries and concerns, and strengthen its network with Filipino community members.

Details of succeeding mobile consular services are posted on the Philippine Embassy website at www.philembassy.org.nz and on its Facebook page “Philippine Embassy - Wellington, New Zealand”.