A growing number of elderly Samoans are beginning to access the full benefits available through New Zealand citizenship—restoring a right that was stripped away 42 years ago.
The reinstatement of New Zealand citizenship for eligible Samoans, made possible through the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Amendment, has opened a range of essential services and support for elders now settling permanently in Aotearoa.
One key area is free medical check-ups. Families are encouraged to register their elderly parents with a GP upon arrival in New Zealand. Once registered, they may be referred to specialists, including eye, ear, bone, and other health professionals. Occupational therapists can also assist with home assessments and access to hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, bathroom chairs, support rails, and ramps.
Additional assistance includes home-based care support, where families can request help for daily care needs, such as bathing and mobility assistance for elders with disabilities or limited movement.
From a financial perspective, elders with NZ citizenship can apply for support through Work and Income (WINZ). This includes:
- An Emergency Benefit ($300–$380) as an initial form of support.
- Accommodation Supplement for housing costs.
- The Disability Allowance, available with medical confirmation that the elder cannot work due to health conditions.
- A Support Living Payment, available to children or relatives who stop working to become full-time carers for their elderly parent.
To apply, elders must have:
- An IRD number
- A bank account
- A letter from the National Provident Fund in Samoa confirming suspension of their Samoan pension
WINZ requires clear and truthful information. Benefits are not granted if the elder is visiting temporarily. Any issues with applications can be clarified by contacting Teleiai at 021 618 042.
There is also a refund available for the application fee once citizenship is granted. Some families are still pushing for the 10-year residency requirement for the NZ pension to be waived, which would allow elders residing in Samoa to access it in the future.
A support group called FALIU LE LA, coordinated by ASA Foundation, provides guidance to families of elders who have gained citizenship. For more information, contact Teleiai Edwin Puni at [email protected].
Here is the official guide to apply for NZ citizenship (for those born in Samoa before 1949).
In cases where one partner qualifies under the citizenship law and the other does not, immigration options may still be available under the Partnership Category. For legal support, families can reach out to:
- Salamasina Tim Toilolo (09) 266 0122 | [email protected]
- Diana Bell (09) 200 1745 | [email protected]
The return of this long-denied right is due in part to the work of MP Teanau Tuiono, who championed the private member’s bill. Although only a few Samoan leaders were directly involved in the lobbying effort, their determination has now brought hope to many.
For families with questions or in need of guidance, the message is simple: citizenship brings real help, and it’s worth applying.
Fesoasoani mo Tuaa Samoa ua Maua le Sitiseni Niu Sila
Ua amata ona mafai ona maua e le to’atele o nai tuaa Samoa le fesoasoani atoa e mafai ona aumaia e le sitiseni Niu Sila, ina ua toe fa’afo’i atu lenei aia tatau sa aveesea i le 42 tausaga talu ai.
O le pili na fa’aulu e le faipule o le Palemene, Teanau Tuiono, na mafai ai ona toe tatala lenei avanoa i lalo o le Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Amendment. O se la’asaga taua mo tuaa Samoa o loo nofo mau i Niu Sila.
Siaki Fa’afomai e Leai se Totogi
O le fautuaga mo aiga, ina ua taunuu mai nai tuaa, ia resitala i se fomai faaleaiga (family doctor) mo se siaki fa’alesoifua maloloina. Mai iina, e mafai ona maua le avanoa i fomai fa’apitoa e pei o le fomai o mata, taliga, ponaivi, ma isi gasegase tumau.
E mafai fo’i ona talosagaina se occupational therapist mo se asiasiga i le fale, pe afai e faigatā le savali poo le gaoioi o le tuaa. O iina e mafai ona fesoasoani mo se moega fa’apitoa, wheelchair, walker, nofoa faapitoa mo le faletaele, rails, ma ramps mo le savali saogalemu i le fale.
E aofia ai fo’i le fesoasoani mo le tausiga i le fale—e mafai ona fesiligia se tagata faigaluega e fesoasoani i le fa’amamāina, fa’ataeleina, ma isi mana’oga tumau a le tuaa.
Penefiti mai le WINZ
O penefiti e mafai ona talosagaina i le WINZ e aofia ai:
- Emergency Benefit ($300–$380)
- Accommodation Supplement – fesoasoani mo le totogi o le fale
- Disability Allowance – e mana’omia se tusi mai le fomai e fa’amaonia ai le tulaga tumau o le gasegase
- Support Living Payment – mo se tasi o le fanau o loo nonofo fa’atasi ma tausi le tuaa
Mo le talosaga, e moomia:
- IRD number
- Bank account
- Pepa fa’amaonia mai le NPF i Samoa ua taofi le latou penisiona
Fa’amalulu: E le mafai ona talia le penefiti pe afai o le tuaa o loo tafao ma toe foi i Samoa. O nisi o talosaga e teena pe afai e le sao tali ua tuuina atu. Mo fesoasoani, fa’afesootai Teleiai i le 021 618 042.
FESOASOANI MAI LE FALIU LE LA
O loo iai le ‘support group’ FALIU LE LA, o loo tausia e le ASA Foundation, mo aiga o tuaa ua maua le sitiseni. Mo i latou e fia auai i lenei vaega fesoasoani, fa’afesootai Teleiai Edwin Puni i le imeli: [email protected]
Fa’amatalaga Fa’aopoopo
O le aoga o le sitiseni e le gata i le seleni fesoasoani, ae aofia ai fo’i le toe refund o le totogi sa faia i le talosaga. O loo iai se taumafaiga ina ia fa’amāmā le tulafono e moomia ai le 10 tausaga e nofo ai i Niu Sila a’o le’i agava’a i le penisiona.
Mo i latou o le ulugali’i ae na’o le to’atasi na agava’a i lalo o le tulafono, e mafai ona tilotilo i le Partnership Category mo le isi. Fa’afeso’ota’i loia:
- Salamasina Tim Toilolo – (09) 266 0122 | [email protected]
- Diana Bell – (09) 200 1745 | [email protected]
Mo le talosaga mo le sitiseni, asiasi i:
👉 https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/apply-for-nz-citizenship-if-born-in-samoa-before-1949/
