There are mixed feelings about the New Zealand Parliamentary Select Committee's recommendation on a bill aimed at restoring citizenship for a cohort of Samoans.

Anae Arthur Anae, Chairman of the 'Mau a Samoa ile Sitiseni NZ 2024' and former Member of Parliament in New Zealand said while the committee had recommended the bill for a second reading, some important clauses had been removed.

The bill is aimed at restoring citizenship for Samoans affected by a discriminatory law enacted in 1982 under the Patrick Muldoon-led government. This law stripped citizenship from a cohort of Samoans, and the new bill seeks to rectify this injustice by reinstating their rights.

The bill, introduced by Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono, specifically targets individuals born in Samoa between May 13, 1924, and December 31, 1948. It proposes to repeal the 1982 Act entirely, thereby restoring citizenship rights to those affected. After reviewing numerous submissions, the Committee reached a consensus on recommending the bill for passage, supporting all amendments except for clauses 6, 10, and 14.

Speaking with the Samoa Observer from New Zealand, Anae said this was an acknowledgement of past mistakes by the New Zealand government. 

"This development indicates that a mistake was made and it should be corrected," he noted.

"Personally for me, I need to digest this recent development with careful consideration before we decide on what to do next."

However, Anae expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the Committee's recommendations. While the bill focuses on those born between 1924 and 1949, they had argued for a broader timeframe that would include Samoans born up to January 1962. 

He raised concerns about the age of the targeted group, emphasising that the youngest individuals in this cohort would be 75 years old. "If they regain citizenship, they may have to wait 10 years for superannuation, which means many will not live to see those benefits," he lamented.

Anae acknowledged the challenges they faced, particularly given the Samoan government's stance of non-interference in New Zealand's legislative matters. He emphasised the importance of the issue for the lives of Samoans, advocating for a meeting with Samoan leaders to clarify misconceptions about potential mass migration.

The second reading of the bill is set for 6 November. Anae’s group plans to lobby for further amendments to include their original proposals. He urged New Zealand's political parties to support these changes, stressing that their fight is ultimately for the people of Samoa. "We aim to correct historical wrongs and give Samoans what they deserve," he stated.

Anae called on the Samoan government to recognise the impact of this issue on its citizens and to lend its support. "We are thrilled to have reached this point, and we appreciate all those who have stood with us in this fight," he concluded. With a focus on collaboration and advocacy, Anae remains hopeful that the journey towards justice for Samoans will continue to gain momentum.

As reported by the Governance and Administration Committee after examining the Restoring Citizenship by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill and recommended unanimously that it be passed. 

They recommended all amendments unanimously except for clauses 6, 10 and 14. 

"As introduced, the bill would provide the right to New Zealand citizenship to people who were born in Samoa on or after 13 May 1924 and before 1 January 1949, and whose citizenship was removed by the 1982 Act. The bill as introduced would repeal the 1982 Act to achieve this," the commentary from the Governance and Administration Committee noted. 

"We are recommending, by majority, changes to make it clear that the people eligible to apply for and receive citizenship are people described in section 4(1)(a) to (d) of the 1982 Act. 

"Broadly, that is: people born in Western Samoa on or after 13 May 1924 and before 1 January 1949; and descendants of those people who were born before 1 January 1949; and any female who, on 1 January 1949, became a New Zealand citizen by virtue of being married to a person in one of those groups."