Sāmoan citizenship bill passes second reading, concerns remain around amendments

The bill that can restore the right to New Zealand citizenship for some Sāmoans has passed its second reading with unanimous support.

The Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, which passed its first reading in April and second today, aims to undo the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982, which saw Samoans stripped of their citizenship rights.

All parties supported the bill’s second reading this morning, a change from its first reading in April where all parties excluding the National Party supported it.

Moments before the second reading’s results, former National MP Anae Arthur Anae shared some concerns about the bill’s amendments to William Terite on Pacific Mornings.

“It’s a gold... box that’s been given to us for Christmas but when you open it, it’s empty," Anae said.

“I’m hoping they will read that and make the amendments that need to be made to satisfy everybody.

“At this particular time, they’ve admitted a wrong. If you’ve admitted a wrong, why can’t you fix it?”

Anae said past the second reading that it is an opportunity to correct some of these issues.

Watch the full interview via 531 pi's FB below:

Criticism towards the bill amendments, following the select committee process, included MPs agreeing not to include the descendants of the cohort, and that the cohort must still pay and apply for citizenship.

This means the bill currently applies to over 3000 Samoans with the youngest being aged 75.

Pacific Blues Chair John Loau told Terite this morning that the amendments reflected caution around other important legislation, such as the 1962 Treaty of Friendship.

He added that among the more than 24,500 submissions on the bill, Loau has heard most of those impacted had either already claimed citizenship in Aotearoa or had moved to Australia following citizenship acquisition.

“I know it’s not going to make everybody happy, [but] a lot of work was put into this to ensure we can get it across the line," Loau said.

"Can I point out that it was a unanimous decision to move forward with these amendments which included other members of the select committee which is the Labour Party and Green Party.

“They would’ve thought all this through, worked through it as best as possible, to figure out the best way to deliver what people are looking for and it’s the restoration of citizenship for those impacted.”

Watch the full interview via 531 pi's FB below:

On parliament grounds the MP behind the bill, Teanau Tuiono, acknowledged the massive effort of those involved in processing the bill, especially the many submissions made.

"The submissions presented several reasons for supporting the bill, among them restoring historical injustices such as the Dawn Raids and also around fairness and upholding human rights.

"At the heart of this bill, it is about fairness, upholding human rights and equality."

"We have come this far and I know that the community wants us to go further and of course, we in the Greens are open to that because there are a few more stages to traverse."