Tamarix Group launches first ever Strategic Futures Office in Samoa

Staff Reporters/

Apia, SAMOA, 21 June 2024 – Tamarix Group, a fledging technology company has launched a partnership with multiple entities to launch the first Strategic Futures Office the South Pacific.

This week, the group established its office in Samoa with the plan to open in other Island nations soon.

“This was birthed from a conversation with Misa Tovia Vaaelua – Vice President of Technology for For Good for the Norwegian Company Crayon Solutions based in Oslo,” said Faamoetauloa Tafilelea Faavae Gagamoe, Tamarix Group Executive Director.

“He mentioned the importance of the South Pacific being able to forecast its own future and generate its own perspectives aligned to what is typically generated from outside of the Pacific. This aligned with some work Tamarix was already doing to drive technology solutions through Samoa, so it all made sense.”

The underlying foundation of this work was based on training Vaaelua had undertaken in 2019 and later with a contingent from Tamarix Group hosted by KPMG and delivered by a team of researchers and foresight builders at the  Institute for the Future (IFTF) based out of Silicon Valley back in February 2024.

Then began the cultivation of a partnerships in the building of multiple forecasts throughout the South Pacific and the plan was for the Samoa office to be the first to be opened.

According to Tafilelea, the home base in Samoa is critical in this multi-directional partnership. The presence in Samoa was emphasized with the appointment of Meta Apu’ula as Managing Director for Tamarix Samoa.

Apu’ula held many critical roles across Government in New Zealand before she relocated back to Samoa where she currently resides in Nofoalii and continuing in the wave of female leadership.

Vice-President of Tech for Good, CRAYON Misa Tovia Va’aelua, Rev. Tau Toleafoa (EFKS Falefa) and Tamarix South Pacific Executive Director Fa’amoetauloa Tafilelea Fa’avae Gagamoe.

Strategic Futures Office in Samoa
According to Tafilelea, many countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas have Strategic Futures Offices that are responsible for creating foresight which then build insight and should lead to action.

“We don’t have one anywhere in the South Pacific which is worrying given the most heavily impacted region from climate change is right here. So building forecasts and foresights is important to provide our leaders in both public and private sectors alike,” said Tafilelea.

Part of the overall launch are two other initiatives. These include the Tamarix Tech Academy which will launch at Poutasi village, Falealili and the Gig Eco Tech – GET Zone which will teach digital learners skills and working towards “gigs” or small tech jobs to use their newfound knowledge and skills.

Samoan High Chief Cautions
Poutasi and Falealili High Chief, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale acknowledged the initiative and foresight for the Tech Academy to be based at his village. However, he cautioned against the social implications of the technology and to be acquired skills and knowledge especially for young people, and the impact on Samoa culture given the already negative impact of social media on Samoan society.

The Tamarix Group Office is based at the Ground Floor of the Vodafone Building at Maluafou.