The members of the Mau a Samoa Sitiseni NZ 2024 and the Samoan community in Auckland gathered at Aotea Sqaure for the final awareness campaign for submissions to restore citizenship for Samoans lost through the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982.

This is despite the cold breeze early Saturday morning as about 50 who turned up marched with pride and hoped for the better.

Chairman of the Auckland Council Pacific People’s Advisory Panel, Seumanu Simon Matafai who was amongst those who marched on Saturday took to social media stressing about the importance of the initiative.

"The conniving ulterior motive of a racist past Executive branch of the NZ Government (Muldoon’s #NationalParty), weaponising the Legislature because of the ‘fear of a large number of people from Western Samoa claiming NZ citizenship’," he said.

"The quick roadblock following a historic win for a bold Aunty (Falema’i Lesā) at the highest court (the Privy Council in the U.K🇬🇧), our Supreme Court was established later in 2004. 

"Parliamentary Supremacy’ meant no further steps for the Samoan people until this Private Member’s Bill was drawn recently by our Cook Island MP; Teanau Tuiono in which I believe was a God-send in honour of our dear late MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins RIL.

"He was quoted at the First Reading that passed in Parliament; “I want to acknowledge my brother Faʻanānā Efeso Collins. I wish he was standing in this house today, and his leadership will continue to guide my mahi on this important Bill. This first reading is for him”

Seumanu explained and reminded that the bill’s main intention is to immediately restore NZ Citizenship to those born between 1924 and 1949 which was stripped away by the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982. 

In his view, it’s purely a simple ‘public law’ correction after more than 40 years of injustice adding that former Prime Ministers of New Zealand may have made official apologies for past grievances, but this legislation would indicate 'true remorse' and ‘good faith’ in moving forward as true friends which the Treaty of Friendship stands for.

"I fully recommend submitting a submission in support. The time is now. SAMOA TULA’I, TULA’I SAMOA!"

Meanwhile, hundreds of submissions continue to come through from Samoa with the help of Pacific Jewell and a few individuals collecting submissions to get dropped off to the New Zealand High Commission's office.

Last week, members of the Steering Committee were in Samoa to launch their awareness activities in Samoa with a media campaign to advise Samoa media and the general public of the groups “Mau A Samoa i Le Sitiseni Niu Sila 2024” Steering Komiti / intentions.

The MASILSNZ2024 visiting party consisted of Chairman Anae Lupematasila Lima Arthur Anae, Deputy Chair Aupito Toeolesulusulu Tofae Ta’ala Su’a William Sio,  Deputy Chair Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai and Secretary Seiuli Savea Leofo Tone Peseta.

Their aim was to meet and engage with Samoan church leaders, government officials/bureaucrats, political parties, NGOs and general public consultations with the wider people of Samoa to inform and educate on the efforts to restore the bill.