Make your views heard on the Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill
This is about fairness. It’s time to right the wrongs of the past, strengthen the relationship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa, and move forward together.
This is an opportunity for all political parties to work together, recognising that Aotearoa is a Pacific nation. Our whakapapa and history across the Pacific Ocean Te Moana nui a Kiwa is as extensive and deep as the moana itself.
What should my submission say?
Focus on the specific issue. The bill only does one thing: restore the citizenship of the group of people affected by the law change in 1982. Your submission should explain why you support this.
This is about correcting an injustice from the recent past. If you, your family, or your community were affected by the 1982 law, explain this in your submission.
Your submission can include ideas for how to improve the bill, but it doesn’t have to if you think the bill is already good.
Your submission will be publicly available, so don’t include anything very personal that you don’t want other people to know.
You can use the ideas in this document for your submission. Your submission will be more powerful if you put these ideas in your own words. It is ok if many people make submissions that say the same thing.
What is happening?
A Parliamentary Select Committee representing all political parties is inviting public feedback on a proposed law that would restore New Zealand citizenship to a group of people from Samoa whose citizenship was removed by Parliament in 1982.
Now is the time to add your voice to support the bill by writing a submission.
What would the bill do if Parliament agrees to it?
The Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 would mean that a person whose NZ citizenship was removed by the 1982 Act will be eligible for citizenship as of right, instead of having to go through the standard residency and citizenship application processes.
Why do we need this bill?
A group of New Zealand citizens from Samoa had their New Zealand citizenship removed by Parliament in 1982, and that is unfair. This bill restores their rights.
Supporting the bill helps to acknowledge the mistakes of the past and for us to move forward together. Our Samoan communities are an important part of society in Aotearoa. It is time to recognise the strength of the relationship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa – the closest of friends. An important part of any friendship is to heal the wrongs of the past.
When do I need to make a submission?
The last day for the Committee to receive submissions is Friday 31 May.
Can I submit as an individual person, an organisation, or a group?
Anyone can make a submission, as an individual person, a group of people, or an organisation.
Can I address the Select Committee in person?
Yes. If you would like to speak to the Committee, your written submission needs to say that you would like to “make an oral submission to the Committee”. You have to submit a written submission first if you would like to speak to the Committee members. You can do that by post, email, or online.
Parliament is in Wellington but the Committee will allow people who are not in Wellington to speak to them over Zoom video link. This includes people in other countries. If lots of submissions are received from people in other cities, the Committee may travel to those cities to hear from people face to face.
Once you have made a written submission, staff at Parliament will contact people to arrange a time to speak to the Committee.
Thank you for standing up to make your voice heard.
If you have further questions, please contact Teanau Tuiono MP, who is the sponsor of the bill, and his staff team by emailing [email protected]