Samoans seek NZ citizenship

Samoans seek NZ citizenship

Only 165,000 people live in Samoa

Hundreds of Samoans demonstrated outside New Zealand's parliament building on Thursday to call for the entire population of Samoa to be given New Zealand citizenship.

Dressed in traditional skirts and flowers, the protesters sang songs and took part in a "haka" or war dance to draw attention to their cause.

They handed a 90,000-signature petition to Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter, calling for the repeal of a 1982 law disqualifying Samoans from claiming citizenship.

Protest organiser Arthur Anae said the Samoan people - a population of only 165,000 - simply wanted freedom of movement between New Zealand and Samoa.

The two countries enjoy good relations with each other, and Mr Carter promised the petition would be considered by a parliamentary committee.

"Let me leave you in no doubt that this government, led by Prime Minister Helen Clark, is a strong supporter of the Samoan community," he said.

"We appreciate the important contribution you make to New Zealand through the economy, social and community agencies, the churches, sports and arts and culture."

The law denying Samoans citizenship rights was passed after a Samoan woman claimed she had right to become a New Zealander because New Zealand was once Samoa's colonial administrator.

But New Zealand's rule ended in 1962 when Samoa became an independent country.

The impoverished island state is located several thousand kilometres (miles) east of New Zealand, and is considered by the United Nations to be one of the world's least developed countries.