The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs reported receiving 1,262 applications for New Zealand citizenship under section 7A of the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 by the end of February 2025. Of these, 911 applications were approved, with five declined or withdrawn.
Julia Taylor, Manager of Operational Policy and Official Correspondence at the Department of Internal Affairs, acknowledged concerns about delays, particularly for applications submitted through the New Zealand High Commission in Apia. She noted that around 80% of applications came through the High Commission, impacting a large number of applicants.
To address the delays, the department is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to ensure the Diplomatic bag, which carries applications to New Zealand and returns citizenship certificates to Apia, is sent regularly. Increased courier services and manual pickups from MFAT offices have been introduced. However, delays remain inevitable due to the travel time of the Diplomatic bag between New Zealand and Samoa, which is typically sent weekly but more frequently when application volumes are high.
Delays over December and January were due to staff learning the new application process, annual leave, and fewer Diplomatic bags during the Christmas/New Year period. Additional staff training has since been completed, with 598 applications processed in February alone. As of March 1st, 346 applications were still pending.
The primary reason for declined applications involves confusion over eligibility under section 4(1)(b) of the Act. This section grants citizenship to women married to eligible men before January 1, 1949. Many applicants mistakenly apply without meeting this requirement, often involving cases where the husband was born between 1924 and 1949, but the marriage occurred after 1949.
The support group ‘FALIU LE LA,’ coordinated by the ASA Foundation, assists families of Samoan elders who have gained New Zealand citizenship. The group offers help with accessing WINZ benefits, healthcare, housing services, and the Super Gold Card for public transport benefits.
For more information or to join the support group, contact Teleiai Edwin Puni via Facebook Messenger or email.
