Lack of Pathway to Residency for Pasifika in New Zealand
Pasifika communities in New Zealand have been calling for a clear pathway to residency for many years. Despite repeated requests and ongoing discussions, the government has not yet provided a solution. This lack of action has left many Pasifika families in a state of limbo and uncertainty.
One proposed solution has been amnesty for those who have been living in New Zealand for a certain amount of time without the proper documentation. However, this proposal has been met with opposition from some ethnic communities who have complained that Pasifika would be the primary beneficiaries. As a result, the government has avoided granting amnesty.
The lack of balance in the current immigration system is also a concern. While New Zealand has offered 100,000 visas to mostly non-Pacific work visa holders, little has been done to assist the thousands of Pasifika who are stuck in New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. The 2020 Residence Visa policy included some family members of skilled workers, but almost no Pasifika were eligible. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples criticised the lack of a pathway to residency in their submission to the Productivity Commission.
There seems to be a lack of memory when it comes to the treatment of Pasifika in New Zealand. Historically, the Pacific has been reduced to a source of seasonal labour, leading to families suffering and overstaying. Off-on labour schemes in the 1960s and 1970s contributed to the dawn raids, a dark chapter in New Zealand’s history. Pasifika people are not units of labour that can be switched on and off at will.
The lack of consistency between Australia and New Zealand is also concerning. Despite its history of racism, Australia offers pathways to residency for seasonal workers and allows their families to join them. In contrast, New Zealand appears to prioritize the selfish needs of employers over the welfare of Pasifika communities.
The lack of transparency in the decision-making process is also troubling. The reasons behind the Section 61 team’s refusal of visa applications are not disclosed, and there have been reports of disaster victims, people in genuine relationships with Kiwis, and victims of violence being refused without explanation. Some MPs are refusing to help based on advice from Immigration New Zealand given behind closed doors.
A lack of review is also apparent. Pasifika communities are often the least and last to be considered around the tables of power, even though they have been calling for a clear pathway to residency for years. However, there is some hope for change. A community meeting was held in Otahuhu today, where Minister of Immigration Michael Wood apologized for the current situation and announced that a review will be conducted by a King Council. The result of the review is expected to be released by the middle to end of June. Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni also joined the meeting an hour later, indicating that the government is taking this issue seriously.
In conclusion, it is imperative that the New Zealand government listens to the concerns of Pasifika communities and takes action to provide a clear pathway to residency. Without such action, Pasifika families will continue to live in a state of uncertainty, and New Zealand risks repeating the mistakes of its past.
