View Te Ara in

Story: Samoans

Protesters outside Parliament

Protesters outside Parliament

In 1982 Parliament rushed through a law granting New Zealand citizenship to Samoan-born citizens resident in New Zealand at that time. This was in response to a Privy Council ruling that had given citizenship to all Samoans born between 1924 and 1948 and their heirs. The 1982 act remains a concern for Samoans in New Zealand who desire freedom of movement between the two countries. In March 2003 a petition with 90,000 signatures calling for the law’s repeal was presented to Parliament. About 2,000 Samoans protested with speeches, dancing and singing.

About this item

New Zealand Herald
Reference: 28 March 2003
Photograph by Mark Mitchell

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

How to cite this page:

Misatauveve Melani Anae. 'Samoans', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 20-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/samoans/1/7