Labour pledges wider visa-waiver travel for Pacific visitors

The Labour Party is promising to make it easier for people from Pacific countries to visit family in New Zealand through an expansion of visa-waiver access to citizens of Pacific Islands Forum nations.

Labour Deputy Leader and Pacific Peoples spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni announced the policy on PMN’s Pacific Mornings today.

Sepuloni says the current system can place a financial burden on families in New Zealand who sponsor relatives visiting from the Pacific.

“When the cost of living is putting pressure on many Pacific families, the cost of travelling to see loved ones can make being together feel out of reach,” she said.

“We know that too often, it will fall on families here in New Zealand to sponsor loved ones from the islands for a visit. Families shouldn’t have to choose between meeting their everyday costs and being able to welcome loved ones from the islands to New Zealand.”

Sepuloni says the policy could also help prevent relatives from missing important occasions because of visa costs or delays.

Watch Carmel Sepuloni's full interview below.

“I’ve seen firsthand the heartbreak of loved ones missing weddings, funerals and other important moments, because they couldn’t secure a visa in time due to cost and other barriers,” she said.

Further details about how the proposed visa-waiver system would operate are yet to be released.

More to come...