Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono addresses parliament during the third and final reading of his private members Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill). 20 November 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Coco Lance
New Zealand's Parliament passed the third and final reading with unanimous support for the Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill on Thursday.
The bill will restore a pathway to citizenship for a group of Samoans whose citizenship was stripped away decades ago.
The Samoan community took to social media after it was passed by Parliament on Wednesday night with questions surrounding the details of the bill and who was eligible to benefit from it.
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Greens MP Teanau Tuiono told RNZ Pacific that anyone born in Samoa between 1924 and 1948 can apply for citizenship.
"The bill itself got complicated because the 1982 Western Samoa Act, which removed citizenship, was a legislative response to the Privy Council (NZ's highest court at the time)case, and it followed through in the 1982 Act," he said.
Tuiono said the Bill passed by government is in response to the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982.
"I did attempt to put those amendments up at the committee of the whole House stage at the second reading, but unfortunately, those amendments didn't get enough support around the House.
"It is constraining to those born between those years and is estimated 3,800 elders.
"Just to be clear with people, my understanding with the government MPs, those who were born between then can apply, and can apply next week, and also in Samoa," he said.
Former National MP Anae Arthur Anae, who has been advocating for this bill for almost three decades, also confirmed that those who are living in Samoa can apply.
"When the Act is going to be passed by the Governor-General on Monday, it comes into effect."
Anae said this means that all Samoans who still live in Samoa, that were born between 1924 and 1948 only, are entitled to make an application to become New Zealand citizens.
"On the other side of that, the question will be whether any Samoan citizen living internationally, who is not a citizen of the country they are now living in, will still be eligible to apply for New Zealand citizenship."
Teanau said the community put in strong submissions to expanding the bill to the direct children of those people as well as family.
Assuming the Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro signs it next Monday, people can apply from Tuesday, National MP Cameron Brewer told Parliament.
"So in plain terms, if your parent or grandparent is still alive, this applies to them. If you are their child or grandchild, it doesn't apply to you.
"If you are applying on their behalf for them, they are now eligible as of right instead of having to go through the standard residency and citizenship application processes.