Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Apia, SAMOA — During a Parliament session last week, Samoa's Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, accused immigration officials at the New Zealand High Commission Office in Apia of outright discrimination against Samoans.

The HRPP leader expressed his frustration with the New Zealand Government, criticizing what he described as increasingly difficult conditions in visa applications. According to Tuilaepa, these stringent requirements make it difficult for Samoans to get their applications approved.

Tuilaepa also highlighted that even members of the clergy have had their visa applications denied. This, he said, was not something new.

"There were numerous instances during my tenure as Prime Minister where I had to intervene at a higher level to secure visas for priests and pastors. These individuals needed to attend funerals and other important events in New Zealand but were initially denied entry," he recalled.

"I wrote to the NZ Immigration Ministry and explained that members of the clergy are servants of God and their calling is to preach the will of God. They should not be subjected to all this unnecessary red tape."

The former Prime Minister revealed that a church minister from their church in Siusega had recently submitted a visa application to attend his brother-in-law's funeral in New Zealand. However, just the previous day, he was notified that his application had been denied because his relationship with the deceased was deemed not close enough.

"This is preposterous!" exclaimed Tuilaepa. "The New Zealand Government has a longstanding practice of appointing individuals with discriminatory tendencies to their High Commission Office here, making it difficult for our people to travel to their country, even for servants of God. Why? This is purely discriminatory! And it's still happening at the NZ High Commission Office in Apia."

Tuilaepa proposed that the government pursue the matter at the highest level.

"The only reason our people seek New Zealand citizenship is to travel back and forth easily to visit family and friends," he explained. "But they don't want to live there. Who wants to live and pay rent in a country that's so cold when you can live in your house, on your own land, in your own country where it's warm every day?

"This is a serious matter, and we should take this opportunity to make a formal complaint to the New Zealand Government. Additionally, we should urge the Australian Government to prioritize Pacific island nations in their immigration policies. Visa requirements for people from the Pacific region should be less stringent than those for people from Asia and other parts of the world."

Tuilaepa declared that visas and entry permits should be done away with altogether for travel to New Zealand if the special Treaty of Friendship is to hold any meaning.

Earlier in the session, the topic of travel between Samoa and American Samoa was discussed. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa clarified that the initial agreement regarding entry permits remains in effect.

BACKGROUND

The issue of visas and entry permits was discussed at length during Atoa o Samoa Talks between Samoa and American Samoa over the years with both sides ultimately agreeing to cancel certain conditions to make travel easier.

Fiame highlighted that American Samoa graciously agreed to further relax conditions, facilitating easier entry for travelers from Samoa who wish to visit the Territory for short-term shopping trips and family fa'alavelave.

The Prime Minister explained that Samoa's immigration policy permits any foreigner to stay in the country for up to 90 days. However, visitors must have a return ticket to ensure they leave the country within this period.

She mentioned that when American Samoa added requirements such as police and health reports to entry permit applications, Samoa responded by enforcing certain conditions, including entry permit fees for US Nationals (while US citizens remain exempt).

Fiame emphasized that the Atoa o Samoa Talks have been instrumental in resolving differences and fostering stronger ties and cooperation between the two governments. This ongoing dialogue has led to the relaxation of several requirements and conditions.

Samoa News should also point out that due to the US crackdown on illegal immigrants in its borders — due to the new Trump Administration — there has been local community talk about a similar crackdown occurring here in American Samoa, especially with the governor recently declaring that he is now a registered Republican. Whether the crackdown, if it happens in the territory, will be limited to Asian illegal immigrants or also include Samoa citizens is unknown at this time.