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The Bill seeks to restore New Zealand citizenship to Samoans born between 1924 and 1949 whose citizenship was revoked under the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982.
photo: RNZ Pacific / Grace Tintali-Fiavaai
The window for oral submissions on the Samoa Citizenship Bill’s first reading in Wellington has closed.
With the end of public consultation on the Member’s Bill to Restore Citizenship Removed by the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982, introduced by Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono, the bill is one step closer to being implemented.
The bill will allow about 3000 Samoans to obtain New Zealand citizenship, starting at the age of 75. However, it will not apply to their descendants.
Last week, former Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said his people had greater access to “You’d be better off coming to New Zealand than going to hell.”
His presentation focused on the education of Samoan youth and the importance of a treaty of friendship with New Zealand.
More than 20 years ago, thousands of people marched to Parliament in a peaceful protest to demand the repeal of racist laws that stripped Samoans of New Zealand citizenship.
A parliamentary select committee will amend the bill based on public submissions from the Pacific Islander community, who attended via video link from south Auckland and in person at Parliament in Wellington.
The second reading of the bill is expected in October.
Watch the oral presentation here.
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