The elders in the Christchurch Samoan community gather to discuss Green MP Teanau Tuiono's bill, Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham
The Christchurch Samoan community gathered to discuss a bill that if passed will reverse a nearly 40-year old law.
In 1982, the Privy Council ruled that because those born in Western Samoa were treated by New Zealand law as "natural-born British subjects", they were entitled to New Zealand citizenship when it was first created in 1948.
However, the National Party-led government under Robert Muldoon took that away with the Western Samoa Citizenship Act 1982, effectively overturning the Privy Council ruling.
Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono's bill will restore the right of citizenship to those who had it removed.
Fonomaaitu Tuvalu Fuimaono, at St Paul's Trinity Pacific Presbyterian Church, said this time he does not want to see politicians play politics and wants parties to align with the Privy Council decision.
"We're not saying that, 'hey, let's play politics with this', we're saying do the right thing and the right thing is give back to those people their right that was granted to them by the judiciary in 1982 it's a simple as that."
Fonomaaitu said New Zealand failed Samoa many times in the 20th century, like bringing influenza to the nation in 1918 and the dawn raids.
"And then New Zealand, turn around and add more salt onto all those wounds from the past it's an injustice and I think now's the time to do something about it."
National was the only party to not support the bill through the first reading about a month ago.
NZ First leader Winston Peters told Pacific Media Network his party intends to back it the whole way.
"Let's see what happens in the select committee but that is our intention to get where a number of the people in that bill want to go, because that's always been our view," he told PMN.
Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono and National Ilam MP Hamish Campbell meet with the Pacific community to discuss Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham
However, Peters also said he would take in Samoa's views, aware that there could be concern of depopulation.
Christchurch Samoan community member, Faaosofia Siliato Daly, wanted National to support the bill also.
"What has National done for Samoa," she said.
"What makes you (National) scared of having this bill passed and I keep thinking if they do this and pass this bill, through their support, it will go down through the history of the National Party."
Faaosofia said Samoans have also not been recognised for their unique relationship with New Zealand.
She said because Samoa was colonised by New Zealand, they should be treated the same as Cook Islanders, Niuean's and Tokelauans.
"We were colonised by New Zealand but at the same time we've been treated just like every other island or nation that have never had the colonial relationship with New Zealand."
National did not support the bill because of its legal complexity, but Tuiono does not believe this should be a barrier.
"Is it complex, maybe, even if it is let's work it out, have the commitment have an open heart to actually work through that complexity."
Many people who attended the meeting wanted to see citizenship extended to descendants not just to the around 5000 elders who are still alive.
Tuiono said it would be a discussion for the select committee.
"With the grant part I think that's where the debate with the committee will possibly end up being as to who qualifies and who doesn't."
Public submissions for the bill close at the end of the month.
