"There is strength in numbers." With this rallying cry, the Mau a Samoa i le Sitiseni 2024 movement urged all Samoans to support their campaign to restore citizenship rights to those affected by discriminatory legislation. 

The movement focuses on Samoans born between 1924 and 1949, whose citizenship was stripped by the New Zealand government in 1982. 

Despite months of advocacy, the number of submissions remains low, prompting the members of the movement to intensify their efforts in Samoa.

Led by former New Zealand MPs and prideful Samoans residing in New Zealand, the Mau a Samoa i le Sitiseni 2024 members have hosted rallies and awareness programmes across Aotearoa. 

This week, they are in Samoa, rallying for more submissions from church leaders, non-governmental organisations, and influential figures, including a meeting with the former Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese.

On Tuesday, they made an appeal at the Congregational Christian Church Samoa's (C.C.C.S.) annual general assembly in Malua, distributing submission forms to over 800 delegates and many more attendees. 

The movement's chairman, former New Zealand MP Anae Arthur Anae, explained their mission during a media briefing. 

He emphasised that their six-month-long advocacy efforts were now focused on Samoa, as the affected population resides here.

The Mau a Samoa i le Sitiseni 2024 aims to increase submissions before the month's end deadline to present a robust case to the Select Committee. Their fight is rooted in the landmark Falema'i Lesa v. Attorney General case, where the Privy Council granted citizenship to Western Samoans born since 1924—a decision overturned by the New Zealand Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982. 

This Act removed citizenship from Samoans born between 1924 and 1948 and their descendants, creating a legal and moral dilemma that the movement seeks to rectify.

Anae noted that concerns about mass migration influenced the New Zealand government's 1982 decision, but current research shows that fewer than 20,000 people are now eligible for restored citizenship. 

He believes this presents an opportunity for Samoans to unite and advocate for changes to existing agreements between New Zealand and Samoa, including the Quota system, Recognised Seasonal Employment programme, and visa applications.

Addressing why this issue was not pursued during their tenure in parliament, Anae and Tofilau Nina, speaking for Deputy Chairman Aupito William Sio, stated it was challenging within the parliamentary framework. They believe the timing is now right, viewing this as a divinely guided opportunity. 

Anae detailed the complex process for a private member's bill, likening it to a lottery, where bills are drawn randomly before they can be discussed in parliament.

The movement is clear that their efforts could be in vain if the Samoan government does not support the bill. Anae assured that the Quota system would remain unaffected by the bill and dismissed fears of mass migration, emphasising the small number of eligible Samoans. 

He urged the global Samoan community, estimated at around 700,000, to back their cause, highlighting the disparity where other ethnic groups can migrate and apply for New Zealand citizenship, yet a specific group of Samoans cannot.

Anae stressed that their main objective is to gather as many submissions as possible before the deadline, clarifying that they are not opposing any government. He expressed optimism that the various New Zealand political parties, which supported their claim during the first reading, would continue to back their cause. 

The movement is hopeful that a strong, unified plea will persuade the Select Committee.

During the press conference, it was emphasised that the movement is not politically affiliated or aligned with any specific party. Their goal is to advocate for what is right and in the best interest of the segment of Samoa's population impacted by the legislation.

The presentation to the C.C.C.S. was well received, and a gathering organised by the Samoa Umbrella of Non-Governmental Organisations (S.U.N.G.O.) is scheduled for Wednesday at Tu'utu'utileloloto Hall. 

The Mau a Samoa i le Sitiseni 2024 remains committed to its mission, urging Samoans everywhere to stand together and make their voices heard in the fight for justice and restored citizenship rights.