National Party backs restoring citizenship bill ahead of second reading next week

The National Party has confirmed it will support a bill that would restore the right to citizenship for some Samoans at its second reading next week.

Prime Minister and National leader, Christopher Luxon spoke to William Terite on Pacific Mornings and confirmed the party’s support but wants to monitor the bill as it progresses through Parliament.

“I mean our big concerns were that we wanted to limit the granting of citizenship to those 3,500 people that were born between that period of 1924 and 1948, and actually that's been the view of all the political parties ultimately here in the Parliament through the select committee process.

“We will support it at its second reading. We do have some reservations about making sure the eligibility criteria and some of the implications are understood and are tightly understood. But we'll continue to progress that way.”

Watch Luxon's full interview on Pacific Mornings

Former National MP, Anae Arthur Anae labelled the party's stance as "window dressing".

"First of all, yes, the plus fact is the government has acknowledged the wrong thing was done to Samoan people in 1982 and amendments have been made to that bill to try and find a solution.

"The solution gives us absolutely nothing because this is what they're going to tell us. That those born between 1924 and 1949 only, not their heirs, only those born will be able to apply and become New Zealand citizens at a fee of that $177.40. Why have a fee like that, I don't know. Pathetic. But that's where it stands.

"Now the problem is they cannot apply for their pension until they come to New Zealand and live here for 10 years.

"This is why I'm calling an empty box because none of those people will survive 10 years. The youngest now is 75. So it's what I call window dressing. There's nothing in this box. There's no gift."

Watch Anae's full interview on Pacific Mornings here

Prior to the party confirming their support, the chair of National’s Pacific branch, John Loau, was optimistic they would eventually change their position.

“We saw that with the submissions that were put in place and then, of course, the work that all the members of the select committee, including the National Party members who were on the select committee, needed that information to work through the bill and present their findings at the second reading.

“There's a lot of lobbying on behalf to make sure that there's consultation from us and other members so that they can take all that information as a whole.”

Wathc Pacific Blues chair, John Loau's full interview on Pacific Mornings

Green MP Teanau Tuiono's Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, passed its first reading in April and saw support from all political parties except National who raised concerns of mass migration.

Almost 25,000 submissions were received for the bill, a vast majority in support.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins was thrilled to hear of National’s change of stance for an issue he labelled as a “historical injustice”.

“They never should have had their citizenship revoked in the first place. I think it's time that Parliament fixed that,” he said on Pacific Mornings.

“I think if we can get unanimous support across the House for that, then that's even more powerful.

“My only regret is that we didn't do this earlier, particularly around the time we issued the Dawn Raids apology - so I'm pleased that it's being done now.”

Watch Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins full interview on Pacific Mornings

The bill is due to have its second reading in the House next week Thursday at 9am.