News

Pacific Peoples

people and communities

Pasifika left behind by Budget 2026

Today Nicola Willis delivered a third Budget in a row which prioritises the super-rich and powerful over Pasifika peoples, says the Green Party.“This is a heartless Budget that continues to punish Pasifika peoples,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, Teanau Tuiono.   “At a time when Aotearoa has more kids in poverty, more people are homeless, and more people without work, it is Pasifika people who are suffering the most.   “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples, which the Coalition parties have used as a political football for years, is facing close to $3 million in funding cuts. That is close to $3 million in funding cuts to initiatives that directly relate to our Pasifika wellbeing.   “Pasifika...

Posted at May 28, 2026 3:03 PM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

We’re committed to generations of storytelling through Auckland Polyfest

Surrounded by festival goers this morning at Auckland Polyfest 2026, The Green Party announced that a Green Government would bridge the funding gap currently faced by Polyfest organisers.“Polyfest is whakapapa, Polyfest is healing: Polyfest is the best of us. The Green Party wants to preserve and protect this,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. "Polyfest is currently underfunded by over $1 million, creating real uncertainty about its future. “Aotearoa can be a country that resources our storytellers to thrive. The Green Party celebrate and support...

Posted at March 19, 2026 10:05 AM by Marama Davidson and Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

Greens continue to call for Pacific Visa Waiver

The Green Party recognises the extension of visa allowances for our Pacific whānau as a step in the right direction but continues to call for a Pacific Visa Waiver. “The Greens continue to call for our Pacific neighbours to be granted Visa Waiver status as a necessary step to strengthen and honour our relationships in the region,” says Green Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono. “While an extended visa period will lessen the financial and administrative burden for our Pacific...

Posted at April 11, 2025 11:35 AM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading

Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law.“This is a huge, historic win for Pasifika Justice, one that offers our country an opportunity for healing,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, Teanau Tuiono. The legislation restores the right to citizenship for people from Western Samoa who despite being eligible for New Zealand citizenship were stripped of that right due to a cruel and targeted law in 1982....

Posted at November 20, 2024 6:10 PM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

Another step towards Pasifika justice

The Green Party acknowledges the historical importance of MP Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, passing its second reading in Parliament today. “Today marks another momentous step on our journey towards justice in Aotearoa,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, Teanau Tuiono. Teanau Tuiono’s Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill would restore the right to citizenship for people from Western Samoa who were born between 1924 and...

Posted at October 24, 2024 11:15 AM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

Significant step forward for Pasifika justice in Aotearoa

The Green Party has welcomed news that MP Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill has moved forward with unanimous support from the select committee. “This is a significant step forward and a monumental milestone for Pasifika justice in Aotearoa,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, Teanau Tuiono. “Today, Parliament’s Governance and Administration Select Committee reported my Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill to the House for its second reading.  “Committee members were unanimous in supporting the primary...

Posted at October 09, 2024 5:50 PM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

Government missing in action on Pasifika issues

This year’s Budget reflects the heartlessness of the Coalition Government when it comes to Pasifika, according to the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka (Māori and Pasifika) caucus.“I can summarise this Budget in one word: pathetic,” says Teanau Tuiono, the Green Party Spokesperson for Pacific Peoples.  “The Minister couldn’t even muster the energy to put out a press release - the Government is missing in action on Pasifika issues. Our communities deserve more. “It’s not just cuts to frontline public health and...

Posted at May 30, 2024 3:19 PM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust past

A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. “Fairness is at the heart of this Bill. We had a group of New Zealand citizens who had their citizenship recognised and then had their citizenship removed by statute. That is unfair.” says Green Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono. Teanau Tuiono’s Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982...

Posted at April 10, 2024 6:04 PM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

MPP cuts unforgivable

Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. “Aotearoa is a Pacific nation. The interconnectedness of our whakapapa and history across Te Moana nui a Kiwa is as extensive and deep as the moana itself,” says Green Party’s Pacific Peoples Spokesperson, Teanau Tuiono. “When Pacific peoples, communities, and cultures thrive, Aotearoa thrives.  “For many years,...

Posted at March 28, 2024 1:38 PM by Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

The time is now to strike anti-Pacific racism from New Zealand law

A Green Party member’s bill pulled from the ballot today would strike an anti-Pacific racist law from the country’s books and help heal the wrongs of the past.“Forty years ago the Government passed a law stripping people from Western Samoa of the automatic right to New Zealand citizenship. It is a racist law and it is time to strike it off the books,” says the Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. Teanau Tuiono’s Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act...

Posted at August 03, 2023 12:21 PM by Marama Davidson

democracy and international relations

The time is now for overstayer amnesty

With the alarming number of Dawn Raids occurring, the Green Party is calling on the Minister to immediately grant an amnesty to all overstayers.“I have been utterly appalled by recent reports of Dawn Raids occurring across Aotearoa and call on the Minister to put a stop to this once and for all by granting an amnesty to all overstayers,” says the Green Party’s Pacific spokesperson Teanau Tuiono. “I ask anyone to put themselves into the shoes of this man and...

Posted at May 02, 2023 9:53 AM by Ricardo Menéndez March and Teanau Tuiono