Field Taito Phillip: Identity (Citizenship and Travel Documents) Bill — First Reading 
Field Taito Phillip: Identity (Citizenship and Travel Documents) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:618;Page:14498] 
Hon TAITO PHILLIP FIELD (Minister of State) 
: 
 In contributing to the debate on the Identity (Citizenship and Travel Documents) Bill I want to say that this move is a very responsible step by this Government to look at the issue of increasing security around New Zealand passports and tightening citizenship criteria and vetting processes. I think that most that members and the public of New Zealand can appreciate the impact of September 11. We have also had recent incidents of espionage and applications to gain through fraudulent means New Zealand passports. That raises some real concerns in this country and I think that this bill is timely with regard to those security issues. 
Our passport is one of the most secure and highly respected passports in the world and it also includes visa-free arrangements with 53 countries. That has the effect of making our passport highly sought after by fraudsters and other criminals. To counter this the bill contains a number of key changes to ensure New Zealanders continue to have a highly secure world-class passport. But in saying that I want to say that there are elements in the bill—and some members have already identified them—that will encourage submissions and worthwhile discussions during the select committee process in relation to the changes. 
The Minister has identified the right to citizenship being increased from 3 years’ New Zealand residency to 5 years which I believe will attract a lot of submissions and perhaps some concerns amongst the people in the community. But I am pleased to reassure the Samoan community that the provisions of the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act—given the historical reasons for this Parliament passing that Act back in 1982 as a form of compensation for the removal of New Zealand citizenship from the Samoan people who were born between I think 1924 and 1948—is not changed in any way by this legislation. So I am sure that the Samoan community throughout New Zealand will be very pleased to hear that given recent months of petition in relation to that issue. 
I want to address the concern relating to the loss of right to citizenship for a child if one of his or her parents is illegally in New Zealand. The question that arises there which I am sure members will consider at the select committee is the question of stateless children. Will there be children who will end up belonging to no State as a result of that move? I guess some of us may have a little concern with regard to that not only in relation to fixing up the problem of a woman coming to New Zealand to give birth so that her babies can have New Zealand citizenship but also in relation to the possibility of the babies produced by 20000 overstayers and what their status will be. 
I want to congratulate my friend and colleague the Minister of Internal Affairs on drafting this bill. It is a very good bill given the security issues not only for New Zealand but also for the Pacific region that must be consideredgiven the events of September 11 2001.