New Zealand Police support the Torch of Peace Samoa campaign

Apia, Samoa – 07 November 2023: Representatives of the New Zealand Police are in Samoa to participate and support the Torch of Peace Campaign against violence by the Samoa Victim Support Group.

The representatives arrived in time for the official lighting ceremony, to start the 10 days road trip by SVSG on Monday 30 October to raise awareness, to encourage and to unite our people in the ongoing community prevention programs.

The representatives of the NZ Police have been walking the roads throughout Upolu and onto Savaii, to support the national awareness Campaign against gender based violence.

Sergeant Ah Shew represented the NZ Police as one of the official Torch Bearers on Day One of the Campaign.

Handing over a $5,000 donation to the President of the Samoa Victim Support Group, Siliniu Lina Chang at the Campus of Hope.

Following the return to New Zealand of the NZ Police Tag Team who visited the Campus of Hope earlier this year, they immediately organized a fundraising event at the South Auckland Police Station.

This weekend, more representatives from the NZ Police have arrived to take part in the Torch of Peace Campaign against violence, and at the same time, presented a donation of ST5,000 from the fundraising they held last month, to assist with the daily caring of the children at the Campus of Hope.

The SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang acknowledged the touching gesture of support. “Thank you to the New Zealand Police for supporting the work of SVSG, in particular, the shelter for the abused children,” Siliniu said.

“You only visited the Campus once just last month, but it was enough to foster an ongoing relationship to assist the Campus of Hope.”

The NZ Police’s representation at the Torch of Peace Campaign would not be possible without the financial support from the Pacific Assist New Zealand.

The Torch of Peace relay is on its final week in Savaii and is expected to return to Upolu on Friday for the final and closing ceremony of the fight against gender based violence.

NZ Police representatives with the UNDP Resident Representative, Commissioner of Police and SVSG President at the start of the Torch of Peace relay.