27 January 2025

VISA FREE between Samoa and New Zealand/Australia.

Recently, SAMOA and CHINA have signed a VISA FREE agreement. An island nation population of over 250,000 compared to over a billion and one of the world’s largest economies.

Why is there still a reluctancy by NZ and AUSTRALIA to be VISA FREE with SAMOA? After all that Samoans have contributed for decades whether it be agriculture, manufacturing or our rich culture and excellence in sport, entertainment and community leadership, or academia. We are neighbours in the Pacific region, yet seem more like foreign aliens especially with the immigration bureaucracy for a visa.

The NZ government should consider this plea even more given the recently corrected 42 year legislative wrong which took away the rights of many Samoans who were rightfully NZ citizens at the time. Bittersweet as many of this generation are sadly no longer with us and it does not extend to their descendants. Additionally, NZ also has a ‘Treaty of Friendship’ with Samoa, a unique relationship which seems more like tokenism.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU BELIEVE SAMOANS SHOULD HAVE VISA FREE ENTRY TO NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA.

This is a simple petition to unite the voices of Samoans worldwide. In order for any relationship to sustain, there must be reciprocity. Samoans living abroad in the diaspora of NZ/AUSTRALIA have given so much to enrich their local multicultural communities, strengthening economic development and the reputation of these countries on the world-stage with our gifts and talents in an array of fields, disciplines and industries. Ensuring visa free travel and access will only increase more positive outcomes for our countries as true, genuine neighbours without parameters. Samoa mo Samoa!

Seumanu Seuoti Simon Matāfai JP