‘We need real action’: Pacific campaigners, leaders react to Labour visa-waiver pledge

For Anae Arthur Anae, Labour’s visa-waiver announcement today is more than another election promise.

The long-time campaigner became emotional speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings after Labour pledged to expand visa-waiver access to citizens of Pacific Islands Forum countries.

“Absolutely brilliant, mate. Brilliant, I just, I don’t want to be over the top with it. Yeah, no, I’m just feeling quite emotional about it.”

If elected, Labour says the proposed policy would allow eligible Pacific visitors to travel to New Zealand using an Electronic Travel Authority rather than applying for a visitor visa.

The party says the change would make it easier for Pacific families to visit loved ones, with the system to be phased in with Pacific governments if Labour forms the next government.

Anae delivered a petition of almost 50,000 signatures to Parliament earlier this year calling for easier visa access for Pacific people.

Listen to Anae Arthur Anae's full interview below.

He says the campaign has exposed years of frustration among Pacific families trying to visit New Zealand.

“Pacific people have been mistreated for too long,” he said. “And the problem is there’s been no voice to get up and fight.”

Anae says the announcement is a major step but his focus remains on whether the policy is actually delivered.

Listen to Pakilau Manase Lua's full interview below.

“I’m feeling very confident that the Pacific people will get justice, which is what we’ve been fighting for so long,” he said.

Pakilau Manase Lua, a Tongan community leader, also welcomed the announcement but urged Pacific people not to get ahead of themselves.

“It’s good news, but it’s also an election year, so I am taking it with a grain of salt,” Pakilau told Terite. “The truth is in the pudding. We need to see some real action.”

Pakilau said the change followed years of pressure from Pacific communities and campaigners.

“Labour should have been the first cab off the rank to do something many, many years ago,” he said. “To see them finally do something is great.”

For Deacon Sanele Poluleuligaga, Deputy Chair of the Justice and Peace Commission, the issue is about more than paperwork and visa fees.

Far right, Deacon Sanele Poluleuligaga at the Pacific Justice petition to Parliament. Photo/Justice and Peace Commission/Kathleen Card

He said Pacific families had faced long delays trying to get to New Zealand when loved ones died.

“When someone passed away over here in New Zealand, it’s a very long process for our families to come over just to attend a funeral for our loved ones and say farewell,” he said.

Poluleuligaga said Pacific communities had spent years putting their concerns to Parliament through submissions and petitions.

“It’s great to hear that someone has looked into it and responded to the needs of our Pacific community.”

Green Party Pacific spokesperson Teanau Tuiono said the announcement reflected pressure from both MPs and community campaigners.

“We’ve been pushing for visa waiver access for our Pasifika relatives around the Pacific since I’ve started in Parliament,” he said.

Listen to Teanau Tuiono's full interview below.

Tuiono pointed to New Zealand’s close ties with Pacific countries including its Treaty of Friendship with Sāmoa.

“Making sure that people can get here without having to jump through a whole lot of hoops to spend time with their families, that’s a good thing,” he told Terite.

Labour Pacific caucus member Lemauga Lydia Sosense also welcomed the announcement. “It’s a wonderful announcement, and something the Labour Pacific caucus and Labour Party have wanted to do for quite some time.”

Labour says the proposed changes would be phased in with Pacific governments if it forms the next government after the 7 November election.

For the campaigners who have pushed the issue for years, however, they believe the focus is now on what happens after the announcement.

The question is whether the promise becomes a change that Pacific families can actually use.

Watch Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni's full interview below.