Academics from the University of Auckland believe there is a long way to go to right the wrongs done by New Zealand to Samoa.

Pacific historian Dr Marcia Leenen-Young said the new citizenship law is significant not only for Samoans but also for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The passing of the bill Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 has been seen as righting a wrong against the Samoan community.

“This is about righting a wrong done by the New Zealand government in 1982 when they took away citizenship (an act rare and vilified in history) from Samoans born in Samoa between May 1924 and December 1948 who were New Zealand citizens by law according to the Privy council,” she said.

She said while the new law is historically significant, it falls short of restoring full rights to the group affected.

“We must be aware that this is not a complete reversal of this law and the rights given to all New Zealand citizens are not actually being granted by this bill - for example, citizenship does not extend to the descendants of those born between 1924-1948, a right enjoyed by the rest of us who have New Zealand citizenship,” she said.

“It also stops at 1948, marked with the creation of New Zealand as a nation and formal citizenship - but Sāmoa was governed in part by New Zealand people, legal structures, and political and social institutions right up until 1962.   

“So while this bill passing its third reading is historically significant for recognising and righting a wrong, and should be celebrated throughout Aotearoa, we still have some way to go.”

This is about righting a wrong done by the New Zealand government in 1982 when they took away citizenship (an act rare and vilified in history) from Samoans born in Samoa between May 1924 and December 1948 who were New Zealand citizens by law according to the Privy council.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau: "We are grateful to tangata whenua who have always welcomed us as their whanaunga and have shown us manaakitanga to make a home for our descendants and to thrive."

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau said amidst the historical events of the Hīkoi galvanising tens of thousands protesting the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill this week, the passing of the new law demonstrated what was possible when people came together.

“We are grateful to tangata whenua who have always welcomed us as their whanaunga and have shown us manaakitanga to make a home for our descendants and to thrive.

“To see our people legally recognised by law gives us the dignity that was taken away.”

About 25,000 submissions were received from New Zealand and Samoa during the select committee process. It passed with one amendment from New Zealand First, which required that successful applicants be refunded their application fees.