Samoa may be small, but it should have a voice and opinion on international and regional matters because global issues impact us. Samoan New Zealand activist Anae Arthur Anae rightfully pointed out the lack of support from the previous administration when seeking justice for Samoans from New Zealand.

It is not a secret that the previous government only voiced opinions at international forums on climate change, the environment and other issues like gender equality. There was no criticism or loud noise made about the sinking of the Manawanui. It was sad that for the Citizenship Bill, where injustice was done to Samoans in 1982, the previous government did not show any support, saying it was a sovereign matter. Yet, the people who were affected by it were living in Samoa.

Now, Anae is on a crusade to seek at least a million petitions that will allow Pacific islanders to arrive in New Zealand and get a three-month visa stamped on arrival. Anae argues that 60 countries in the world have this privilege, but the nations closest to New Zealand and the ones that have helped build the country are being discriminated against.

For those who overstay they are to be deported and not allowed in New Zealand. Anae said the scale needs to be balanced and not let one individual ruin it for everyone. This is something many Samoans will agree with. There have been multiple instances when Samoans have applied for and waited for visas so they could travel to be with their loved ones or attend important functions.

While the last government did not show support for such causes, maybe the new government will. The stand on Israel has already been made known. The more important one would be knowing if the government will support this cause undertaken by Anae.

The current government needs to take a stand on this issue. We should never fail to stand up to nations that have been donors and demanding answers and retribution when we are in the right. The failure to do so means failing our people.

This was seen in the failure by the previous government to back the citizenship bill. The government had stayed away from it by saying that it was a sovereign matter and not their business to put their noses in. That was a low blow to many Samoans who had that citizenship right taken away because of a racist law in 1982. The failure to act on this matter showed the failure to protect Samoans.

The nation has also abstained from voting to end conflicts. This is a stand that will not do, especially in critical times when these conflicts affect the price of fuel and food. There are also other matters that we need to have a voice on. Geopolitics and the interest in the Pacific for rare earth metals, deep sea mining, and nuclear waste in the Pacific are also matters that affect Samoans.

It will be interesting to find out if the current government will support Anae’s fight for a visa on arrival. Surely, many Samoans believe this is a cause that the government should back and have an opinion on.