Sāmoa backs visa-free travel petition as Pacific leaders reject ‘mass migration’ concerns

Sāmoa’s government has thrown its support behind a growing push for visa-free travel to New Zealand.

The decision dismisses claims the move would lead to mass migration or depopulation across the Pacific.

The backing follows former National MP Anae Arthur Anae’s petition, signed by nearly 50,000 people, calling for visa-free short-term visits for some Pacific nationals.

The petition has been accepted by New Zealand First leader Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters and will now go before Parliament’s Petitions Select Committee.

Speaking to PMN News, Sāmoa’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Afamasanga Toleafoa, said the Sāmoan government fully supports the initiative.

“The Prime Minister specifically told our office to support this,” Afamasanga says. “We have a presence in New Zealand and a very important presence. We contribute to the culture of New Zealand, economy, politics, sports, just a few of the many.”

Afamasaga Faamatalaupu Toleafoa pictured second from left. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

Afamasanga rejected concerns raised by the New Zealand Government that visa-free travel could lead to population loss in small island nations.

He says the reality for Pacific families is very different. “We want to be able to come here because we’ve got split families. Half of our families are here and we have our fa’alavelaves, our family gatherings and we need to move freely.

“At the moment, that’s not possible, it’s not very good and there’s no need for that. People will always go back to Sāmoa, they have roles in our villages which are important.”

Peters and members of NZ First at the petition presentation. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

Peters confirmed New Zealand First supports the petition in principle and said changes allowing visa-free short-term visits could be made without new legislation.

Peters confirmed his party supports the petition in principle and said changes to allow visa-free short-term visits could be made without new legislation.

He says his party will try and get it done this term. “All the Pacific people want is a fair go, equivalent to what other nations are getting and they're not getting it,” Peters says.

“We’ll do our best but I’ve only got eight months until the election so sooner or later, it’s going to happen very fast.”

Addressing concerns about depopulation, Peters said the issue could be managed through proper engagement. He criticised the immigration system as overly rigid and poorly suited to Pacific realities.

“If you apply the Pacific Cousins approach, the Pacific Way approach, we’d solve this a long time ago but no, we have this rigid bureaucratic mess going on that doesn't fit a lot of countries, particularly not the Pacific.”

Watch a snippet from the petition presentation below.

The petition will now be considered by Parliament’s Petitions Select Committee, co-chaired by National MP Greg Fleming who said once formally received, the committee will review submissions, seek advice from officials and report back to the House.

“The Petitions Select Committee, you could almost see it as like it’s the People’s Select Committee,” Fleming told PMN News. “It’s the committee where anybody can bring an issue before and say, ‘hey, pull this apart, analyse it, and then present this along with your recommendations to Parliament’.”

Former Labour Cabinet Minister Dame Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says the petition highlights a long-standing injustice facing Pacific families.

“Majority of Pacific people who live in the rural areas or don't have the luxury of New Zealand citizenship, to come for a funeral, to come to visit family, why should they be denied an opportunity to have a visa-free visit in the short term, that New Zealand already grants to 60 plus other countries?” Lumanuvao tells PMN News.

As New Zealand heads towards the November election, Luamanuvao urged Pacific people to examine party commitments carefully.

“Our people are very astute,” she said. “They have a moral compass with these issues. So we'll be very supportive of those who support us in a very tangible way.”