No Arthur Anae, NO!

In the New Zealand Herald of 29 October 2025, there appeared a sizable advertisement sponsored by Pacific Islands leader Arthur Anae. In the ad, Anae bemoans the fact that Pacific Islanders must pre-arrange visitors visas, rather than be granted one on arrival at the New Zealand entry point. Anae points out that some 60 countries enjoy the absence of a pre-arranged visa requirement to visit here for 3 months. Anae does not mention the reasons for the restriction and seems to think that the dumb cluck New Zealand public has forgotten the widespread abuse of visa-free entry by his people, in the 1970s. Here's some balance: When the Kirk Labour Government bowed to pressure and agreed to visa-free entry to New Zealand, literally thousands of Pacific Islanders entered this country by fraudulently stating that they would abide by the terms of a 3-month visitor visa. They didn't. The reasons being put forward in the ad now are the same as were put forward then: 'We only want to come for weddings, funerals and family reunions'. When the problem became apparent, Pacifica church leaders supported the government in efforts to encourage overstayers to voluntarily return home. Failure to self-deport could result in a conviction preventing them from returning, for five or more years. Advertisements in English and Samoan were exhibited in every post office making this point. Still no discernible effect and  with the change of government and a new minister, enforcement action ratcheted up and immigration officials, supported by police, began arresting overstayers in their homes and workplaces. The new National-led government campaigned on this and were elected with a good majority. Mr Anae, please let's not go down this victimhood rabbithole again, without an honest evaluation of what really happened.