Story: Citizenship

A Western Samoan viewpoint

The Privy Council decision of 1982, giving all Western Samoans born after 1924 New Zealand citizenship, was not accepted by the New Zealand government. It negotiated a compromise with the Western Samoan government which overturned the Privy Council ruling and gave New Zealand citizenship only to those Western Samoans who were living in New Zealand or who subsequently obtained permanent residence. The compromise was seen as racist and a betrayal by many Western Samoans. Listen to this statement from a member of the Samoan community.

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Sound Archives / Ngā Taonga Kōrero
Reference: Immigration/T2733

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How to cite this page:

David Green, 'Citizenship - Aliens and citizens', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/917/a-western-samoan-viewpoint (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by David Green, published 8 Feb 2005