- By Parmjeet Parmar, Pakuranga-based ACT List MP
I was very proud to recently stand on behalf of ACT and support the Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill.
The passage of this bill rectifies a historical injustice by restoring a pathway to citizenship to a community of Samoan elders who were denied this right by legislation passed in 1982.
This achievement is not just about legal rights. It’s about acknowledging the past, valuing community, and embracing the future with a sense of unity and fairness.
The journey of this bill reflects the power of perseverance and community advocacy.
The engagement of over 24,000 submitters and the visible support in Parliament’s gallery during each reading demonstrated a strong community will to right a wrong.
The bill was introduced by Green MP Teanau Tuiono, and ACT was the first of the coalition parties to lend its support.
This bill’s progress through Parliament, despite previous failures like the 2003 petition, underscores that in our democracy change is possible when the voices of the people are persistent and unified.
This legislative victory is more than symbolic. It carries emotional weight for those reclaiming their citizenship.
It speaks to identity, belonging, and the proud responsibilities that come with being a New Zealander.
As we celebrate this achievement, we must remember our work towards justice is ongoing.
This brings me to the ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill, an initiative that, like the Western Samoa Bill, aims to address historical frameworks in a way that promotes justice and equality today.
The Treaty Principles Bill seeks to ensure the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi are interpreted in a way that reflects the Treaty’s original promise of equal rights – an enduring value that resonates with contemporary values of fairness.
The bill forges a path where every citizen, regardless of heritage, can feel they’re part of a fair and inclusive society.
The Treaty Principles Bill has opened a wider discussion on the value of the equal rights of citizenship.
ACT says it shouldn’t matter if your ancestors were Māori, European, or Asian, or even if you were born in Western Samoa.
As citizens, we deserve the same basic respect and dignity. That includes equal rights and government services that recognise our individual needs ahead of our ethnic background.
