Samoa & New Zealand to commemorate 60 years as “Uō Mamae | Lifelong Friends”

WELLINGTON, 14 JUNE 2022: “As close friends in our region, Samoa and New Zealand’s futures are woven together, underpinned by manaakitanga and mutual respect.”

So declared the two countries Prime Ministers in a historic meeting in Wellington today against the background of Samoa’s 60 years of independence from New Zealand. The relationship is underpinned by a Treaty of Friendship and the 60 years commemorations is on the theme “Uō Mamae | Lifelong Friends” – “symbolic of our enduring, warm and close relationship.”

Prime Minister Ardern today welcomed Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa and long-time friend of Aotearoa New Zealand, in Wellington for her first official bilateral visit since becoming Prime Minister last year.

In a joint statement, the two leaders said the year 2022 is a significant year, recognising the whanaungatanga between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa as we celebrate 60 years of Samoa’s independence under the theme of “Folau ma le Fa’atuatua” (Sail with Faith); and 60 years of formal diplomatic relations between our two countries.

On 1 August 2022, the two countries will also mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship; a unique agreement underpinned by “friendship, confidence, and a mutual endeavour to obtain for our peoples fuller opportunities for social progress.”

The two Prime Ministers after the official talks.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of signing the Treaty of Friendship, the Prime Ministers announced a special fellowship in the name of the Honourable Fiame Naomi Mata’afa for deepening cultural leadership between Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand.

“In doing so Prime Ministers Ardern and Fiame also recalled the contribution made by the Honourable Fiame Mata’afa FM II CBE, father of the current Prime Minister and Samoa’s first Prime Minister.”

It is their first face-to-face engagement as leaders, since Fiame’s government came to power in July last year.

The two Prime Ministers shared a wide-ranging and frank discussion on issues of mutual interest across bilateral, regional and multilateral agendas. They will work together to address the challenges posed by climate change; effectively navigating post-pandemic economic headwinds; and advancing Blue Pacific priorities through established regional practices and regional institutions. To this end, leaders committed to renewing, in 2023, their bilateral Statement of Partnership, first signed in 2019.

The two Prime Ministers in a joint press conference after the talks.

The Leaders agreed to continue streamlining the development cooperation programme to achieve maximum impact and ownership by Samoa. They also noted the support available for public service strengthening through the Pacific Public Service Fale and for other important sectors through a number of other Pacific regional development programmes.

Prime Minister Ardern welcomed Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship recipients from Samoa whose study had been disrupted by COVID-19 to begin their studies in Aotearoa New Zealand from Semester 2 2022 or Semester 1 2023.

As borders reopen the Prime Ministers looked forward to reconnection through sports. Prime Minister Ardern announced a Sports Leaderships Awards programme for emerging sports leaders from Samoa. The programme will harness the skills and attributes of sports trainers and leaders by leveraging the sporting excellence and training capabilities of Sport New Zealand to enhance and influence female emerging sports leaders in Samoa.

“As close friends in our region, our futures are woven together, underpinned by manaakitanga and mutual respect. The theme of our Treaty of Friendship commemorations is “Uō Mamae | Lifelong Friends” – symbolic of our enduring, warm and close relationship,” the joint statement ended.