Why New Zealand First chose to back Samoan citizenship bill

It was a political first on Wednesday night, where parties from both sides of the House banded together to pass a bill regarding Samoan citizenship to the select committee stage.

The Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act hopes to reverse a 42-year-old law and reinstate citizenship entitlements to a group of what was then Western Samoans.

Green MP Teanau Tuiono’s bill passed 74 votes to 49 at the first reading, with the responses from coalition partners New Zealand First and Act a surprise to many.

New Zealand First MP Casey Costello (Ngāti Wai/Ngāpuhi) says the party has always been supportive of Pacific communities, and it is time to decide on this issue.

“It’s been something that has been battered around a lot and never fully resolved, so I think that was the opportunity to get some resolution, on something that’s dragged on for so long.”

The party has been outspoken on recent Pacific and Te Tiriti-based topics, but Costello said it’s unfair for people to assume the party’s stance on race-based issues.

“We’re focused on good outcomes, and I think all the communities know that there is stuff being done that isn’t getting where it needs to go.

“We’re about ensuring that the individual voice is respected and heard … the last thing we need is more bureaucracy and more officials telling us what we need.”

National was the only party not to vote in favour of the bill, but Costello said their realisation seemed to shift as the evening unfolded.

“Once they realised that the House was generally supportive, if you listen to the later speeches, they were all talking about the importance of having the select committee process and having these issues and their concerns fully analysed and really circulated properly.

The Samoans who saved her life

In her speech at the reading, Costello said South Auckland has been “enriched and blessed by the contribution of the Samoan community”.

Speaking to ‘Alakihihifo Vailala on Pacific Mornings, Costello said she owes her life to “wonderful” Samoan men and women she’s worked with.

“When I joined the police in the 80s, I was stationed at Ōtāhuhu, and my first partner in the job, Fia, was an amazing gentleman of a policeman and he got me out of some sticky situations.

“Sometimes people’s emotions are rort and people are stressed and bad things happen ... so I needed my back covered a few times.”

Over the coming months, the bill will be considered for submissions from the public and legal advice at the select committee stage, and recommendations will be made ahead of a second reading in Parliament.

Watch the full interview with NZ First MP Casey Costello on Pacific Mornings: