Samoan families in New Zealand are receiving increased support in helping their elders apply for pensions and benefits after gaining New Zealand citizenship.
A key development is the formal agreement with the Samoa National Provident Fund (NPF) allowing families to request an official letter confirming that a pension has been stopped in Samoa. This confirmation is now a required document for Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) when assessing benefit applications.
The NPF requires the elder’s WINZ client number before issuing the letter. Once obtained, requests can be emailed to Vaoatea Lafulafo at [email protected]. It is recommended to also copy the message to Tuifa’asisina Talaole ([email protected]) and Lemalu Selesitina ([email protected]).
Applying for WINZ Support
To apply for benefits, elders must have:
- An IRD number
- A New Zealand bank account
- The pension termination letter from NPF
The initial support available includes the Emergency Benefit, ranging from $300 to $380. Further support includes:
- Accommodation Supplement for housing costs
- Disability Benefit for elders unable to work, which requires a doctor’s letter
- Additional funding may be available once the disability benefit is approved
Applications can be declined if WINZ determines the elder is only visiting and not intending to settle. Some offices have also questioned how elders were being supported while still living in Samoa.
Support for Family Caregivers
Children or relatives who stop working to care for their elders may qualify for a Supported Living Payment. This benefit includes an extra amount for caregivers living in the same household.
Free Medical Check-Ups and Equipment
Families are encouraged to register elders with a family doctor soon after arrival. Medical check-ups are free, and referrals can be made for:
- Specialist services (eye, ear, orthopaedic)
- Occupational therapy assessments for in-home care
Occupational therapists can recommend support equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, ramps, or bathroom rails. Help with bathing or daily personal care may also be available depending on the elder’s needs.
Residency Issues for Spouses
In cases where one spouse is a citizen and the other is not eligible under the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982, residency may be pursued under the Partnership Category. Families can contact:
- Salamasina Tim Toilolo – (09) 266 0122 /
[email protected] - Diana Bell – (09) 200 1745 /
[email protected]
Restoring Citizenship Rights
The restoration of New Zealand citizenship to Samoans born before 1949 follows a law change led by MP Teanau Tuiono. For 42 years, this right had been removed under legislation passed in 1982.
Application information is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website:
🔗 Apply for NZ Citizenship – Samoa-born before 1949
Where travel is difficult, families are still encouraged to apply. If successful, the application fee may be refunded. Advocacy efforts continue to reduce the 10-year residency requirement currently needed for elders to qualify for New Zealand superannuation.
FALIU LE LA Support Group
A support group called FALIU LE LA, coordinated by the ASA Foundation, is now active for families of elders who have been granted citizenship. The group helps with navigating entitlements and services.
Families interested in joining can contact: [email protected].
Lagolago mo Tuaa Samoa ua Maua le Sitiseni i Niu Sila
Tusitala: Teleiai Edwin Puni
Sui Fesoasoani o le Komiuniti
Ua fa’ateleina le lagolago mo aiga Samoa i Niu Sila o lo’o taumafai e fesoasoani i o latou tuaa ua maua le sitiseni Niu Sila ina ia mafai ona talosaga mo penefiti ma isi fesoasoani aloa’ia.
O se suiga taua ua faia o le maliega ma le Faalapotopotoga o le National Provident Fund (NPF) i Samoa e mafai ai ona talosagaina se tusi fa’amaonia e fa’ailoa ai ua taofia le latou penisiona i Samoa. O lenei tusi ua avea ma vaega taua i le talosagaina o penefiti mai le ofisa o Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ).
E manaʻomia e le NPF le client number a le WINZ a le tagata matutua ae le’i mafai ona tu’uina mai le tusi. A maua lea numera, e mafai ona lafo sa’o le imeli i le susuga ia Vaoatea Lafulafo i le [email protected], ma kopi atu i le tamaitai pule ia Tuifa’asisina Talaole i le [email protected] fa’apea le Pule Sili o le NPF ia Lemalu Selesitina i le [email protected].
Talosaga mo Penefiti mai le WINZ
Ina ia mafai ona talosaga mo penefiti, e manaʻomia:
- Le numera a le IRD
- Le teugatupe i se faletupe i Niu Sila
- Le tusi fa’amaonia mai le NPF
O le fesoasoani muamua o lo’o avanoa o le Emergency Benefit e amata mai i le $300–$380 i le vaiaso. E mafai fo’i ona talosagaina:
- Accommodation Supplement – mo totogi o fale
- Disability Benefit – mo tagata matutua e lē mafai ona toe faigaluega, e manaʻomia se tusi mai le foma’i
E mafai ona te’ena le talosaga pe a iloa e le WINZ o le tagata matutua e na o le tafao mai ma o le a toe foi i Samoa. Ua iai fo’i ni fa’afitauli na tula’i mai ona o su’esu’ega a nisi o ofisa WINZ i le auala e tausi ai tagata i aiga.
Penefiti mo i Latou o lo’o Taumafai e Tausi Tuaa
Afai e i ai se tasi o le fanau o lo’o nofo fa’atasi ma le tuaa ma tu’ua le galuega e tausi ai, e mafai ona talosaga mo le Supported Living Payment, ma maua ai se fesoasoani fa’aopoopo mo le tausiga.
Siaki Fomai ma Meafaigaluega Fesoasoani
O le fautuaga, ina ua taunuu mai tuaa i Niu Sila, ia vave resitala i se foma’i fa’aleaiga mo se siaki masani. E mafai fo’i ona maua fesoasoani mai:
- Foma’i fa’apitoa (mata, taliga, ponaivi)
- Occupational therapist e su’esu’e le fale mo ni meafaigaluega fesoasoani
O meafaigaluega e mafai ona fesoasoani i le tagata matutua e aofia ai moega fa’apitoa, wheelchair, walker, nofoa taele, ramp mo le wheelchair, ma rails i totonu o le fale. E mafai fo’i ona talosaga mo se tagata fesoasoani i le taeleina ma isi mana’oga.
Mataupu mo Ulugali’i e Le o Agava’a Uma i le Sitiseni
I nisi o mataupu, o le isi o le ulugali’i e agava’a i lalo o le Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982, ae le agava’a le isi. E mafai ona talosaga i lalo o le Partnership Category. Mo fesoasoani fa’aloia:
- Salamasina Tim Toilolo – (09) 266 0122 /
[email protected] - Diana Bell – (09) 200 1745 /
[email protected]
Toe Maua le Sitiseni Niu Sila
Ua mafai nei ona toe talosaga mo le sitiseni Niu Sila mo i latou na fanau i Samoa a’o le’i o’o i le tausaga e 1949, ina ua pasia le pili na tu’uina atu e le Afioga i le Palemene Teanau Tuiono. O lenei aia tatau sa aveesea i le 1982.
O fa’amatalaga e mafai ona maua i le upega tafailagi a le Department of Internal Affairs:
🔗 Talosaga mo le Sitiseni – Fanau i Samoa a’o le’i o’o i le 1949
E fautuaina lava e talosaga, tusa pe faigata le malaga, aua afai e talia, e mafai ona toe fa’afo’i mai le totogi o le pili. O lo’o fa’aauau pea taumafaiga ina ia fa’aitiitia le 10 tausaga o nofo ai i Niu Sila a’o le’i agava’a i le penisiona Niu Sila.
Lagolago mai le FALIU LE LA Support Group
Ua fa’atūina nei se vaega lagolago e ta’ua o le FALIU LE LA, fa’atautaia e le ASA Foundation, mo aiga o tuaa ua maua le sitiseni. O le sini o le vaega o le fesoasoani lea i le sailia o fa’amanuiaga ma le fa’atinoina o talosaga.
Mo i latou e fia auai, fa’afeso’ota’i mai i le [email protected].
