By Staff Writer
The granting of New Zealand citizenship to Samoans born between1924-1948 has turned bitter sweet for the opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
He is happy that after decades of a long, protracted fight, New Zealand has finally recognised the citizenship rights for Samoans.
What he protests strongly though is the missing out of descendants or the children of parents or grandparents granted NZ citizenship rights.
“This was the ruling upheld by the Privy Council, the highest court in New Zealand, right at the outset,” Tuilaepa recalled in the early stages of the immigration clash.
“For now if you take in the age factor, there are not many people around in the eligible age group, so what is the point,” he continued.
The head count for those qualified under the immigration bill passed in the NZ Parliament this week, remains to be officially confirmed.
Considering the eligible time period allowed for citizenship, the eldest people would be 100 years old by now.
The youngest in their mid-70s if the count is from 1948..
Tuilaepa remains adamant that the issue has been unfairly handled by the New Zealand Government from the start right up to now.
He has vowed to keep the fight going on what is an injustice on the citizenship rights of Samoans.
“ I can say right now that if the HRPP gets back into Government it will continue to pursue this issue.”
The opposition leader was quick, however, to commend the determined support shown by everyone behind the citizenship push.
Tuilaepa, himself, travelled to New Zealand, for a personal presentation to a New Zealand Parliament Select Committee citizenship review.
“The support shown by the Samoan communities in the main cities from Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland deserves to be highly commended.”
Strong accusations of unfair treatment of Samoans by New Zealand immigration policies remain a hard swallow for the HRPP leader.
Delays in the granting of visa applications is a leading example of discrimination alleged by the HRPP leader against New Zealand immigration policies.
Tonga and Fiji are reportedly given similar treatment that involves the long wait for the granting of entry visas, compared to other world regions.
China was singled out, with a population of 4 billion people, yet entry is visa free, when compared to New Zealand.
A reciprocal travel arrangement is in place for Chinese travellers to New Zealand and vice versa, to prompt more questions from the opposition leader.
Tuilaepa accepted that Samoans move to New Zealand for jobs as well as better education, health care and other living benefits for the children.
“But if given the choice, Samoans prefer the comforts of good weather, warm sea and sandy beaches.
“Why would they want to live in a cold place?”
Tuilaepa is eligible under the new immigration policy to apply for New Zealand citizenship but contends that it does not follow that he will leave Samoa.
“As a matai I am responsible for the care of the family the same as all the other holders of chiefly titles.”
He insisted that many share the same sense of responsibility and would opt to stay and make the most of the comforts of home in Samoa.