Samoa & New Zealand 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 09 MARCH 2022:  The Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand was signed on 1 August 1962 and shaped the special relations between the two countries sixty years on.

On Monday night at the New Zealand High Commissioners’ residence, representatives of both countries came together to celebrate a milestone on the theme Lifelong Friends.

It is the start of a series of events that the New Zealand government is planning to celebrate Samoa’s 60^th independence anniversary including the Treaty with New Zealand, the only such treaty between any two independent nations.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa, His Excellency Dr Trevor Matheson and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa both acknowledged the unique diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On New Zealand’s annual calendar of events, this is normally the time to celebrate the Waitangi Day. However, Dr Matheson said they were not able to do so and instead opting to celebrate the Treaty of Friendship.

“We are grateful for the blessing that enabled us to come together this evening under a Polynesia sky and a COVID free environment free from conflict, and where the democratic constitutional principles and the rule of law humbly prevail and where traditions and customs are respected and valued,” said Dr Matheson.

The Head of State and Leinafo Tuimalealiifano, as a guests of honour with the High Commissioner and Mrs Matheson.

He said the Treaty of Friendship emphasises the close relationship of the two nations and is underpinned by friendship, confidence and a mutual endeavour to obtain for their people opportunities for further progress.

“The strong bones of our diplomatic partnership are also reinforced by the people to people relationship and the more than 180,000 New Zealanders of Samoan heritage,” he said.

He acknowledged the two nations shared history and paid respect and tribute to those who paved the way 6 decades ago for establishing this unique bilateral partnership of collaboration, confidence and tolerance.

“Based on their vision, passion and vigour, we have a bilateral diplomatic relationship today that is mutually respectful, trustworthy and enduring,” he said.

It has not always been smooth sailing as even the best of friends may disagree on certain things from time to time.

“Sometimes we even have to offer formal apologies,” he said in reference to PM Helen Clarke’s formal apology for the colonial administrators handling of the epidemic in 1918 that killed 12% of Samoa’s population.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa with the High Commissioner and Mrs. Matheson in a frame of 60 years of friendship.

Fiame said 6 decades is a long time to build relationships, especially people to people and strong cultural connections.

She reiterated Dr Matheson’s words of the importance of the Treaty which reflects and confirms the unique and special relations that exists between Samoa and New Zealand.

“Whenever we are in doubt about the intricacies of development cooperation, or the complexities of geopolitics, we revisit the Treaty framework that guides our engagement and interaction for progress,” she said.

Fiame also acknowledged New Zealand’s support in various areas and recently with the parallel crisis of climate change and COVID-19.

The significant relationship stands of the meaningful contribution of Samoans and those of Samoan heritage making New Zealand a home, not to mention New Zealand’s contribution to Samoa’s development as a nation over the past 60 years.

In proposing a toast to the relations, Dr Matheson cited the following poem:

The trees have grown,

The flowers have bloomed

The birds have sung

The forest has settled           

It is settled, it is settled, it is settled.

Let the peace be among us, let us all be as one.