By Renate Rivers, PMN
Samoa's Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa and Pacific Justice lead Anae Arthur Anae have met and discussed the petition for the Visa on Arrival for Pacific citizens. Photo: Facebook / Anae Arthur Anae
As the deadline nears for the Pacific Justice petition, which calls for equal treatment of Pacific travellers entering New Zealand, Samoa's Prime Minister has thrown his full support for the campaign and pledged to elevate the issue within government discussions.
The petition, launched in February by former Auckland councillor and MP Anae Arthur Anae, the first Pacific person elected to New Zealand's Parliament, seeks to allow Pacific citizens to enter New Zealand and receive a three-month visitor visa upon arrival, the same arrangement already extended to travellers from around 60 countries. The petition closes on 7 November and has attracted more than 30,000 signatures.
Samoan Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, who is currently in New Zealand for medical treatment, publicly backs the petition, saying he supports any initiative that benefits Sāmoan families.
In a pre-recorded message shown at the Pacific Justice meeting in Samoa House on 4 November, Laauli said travel between both nations should be easier.
"Families travel from Samoa to New Zealand for fa'alavelave, church, family and village obligations, but visa challenges always cause delays and blockages for many of us. I support this petition and salute Anae for taking these first steps. While he has started this movement, I believe the Government of Sāmoa can bring the authority that this petition needs."
Anae previously told Pacific Mornings that the current visa system discriminates against Pacific people despite their historic and ongoing contributions to New Zealand society. His petition specifically names Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as countries whose citizens should qualify for the visa-on-arrival.
"We have contributed so much to this country," Anae said.
"We've taken New Zealand to the centre stage of the world in many things. The days are over of treating Pacific people this way."
Laaulialemalietoa said Samoa's government intends to pursue the matter through formal diplomatic channels.
"We will also start the process to discuss the possibility of a visa on arrival," Laauli said in his Pacific Justice address.
"Those discussions will be government-to-government, and it's something I will raise directly with the Prime Minister of New Zealand. There are many aspects to consider, including intergovernmental relations around immigration and foreign affairs.
"We are also preparing to renew our agreement with New Zealand, and this visa issue will be part of that renewal process."
The 1962 Treaty of Friendship between New Zealand and Samoa established a lasting partnership following Samoa's independence. The treaty, the only one New Zealand has with another country, declares that relations between the two nations are guided by close friendship and regular consultation on matters of shared interest.
Both governments agreed to ensure fair treatment, legal protection, and court access for each other's citizens living in their territories. New Zealand has also pledged to consider requests from Sāmoa for technical, administrative, and other assistance to support national welfare and development. Either government may terminate the treaty with three months' written notice.
Laaulialemalietoa said that, despite the lack of support from Samoa's previous government for Anae's petitions, his administration will endorse any initiatives that benefit Samoans.
An official from Samoa's Consulate-General confirmed that Laaulialemalietoa is expected to meet with his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, on 6 November in Auckland.
-This article was first published by PMN.
