Tunumafono & Motuopua’a sworn-in as MPs & Associate Ministers

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 10 March 2026: The newly elected Safata 1 and Vaisigano 2 MPs, Tunumafono Claire Tan Tin and Motuapua’a Seve Henney Henry Papali’i, were sworn-in as Members of Samoa’s Parliament by the Speaker of the House Hon. Auapa’au Aloitafua Mulipola this morning.

Both MPs won the recent by-elections of their electoral constituencies held on 27 February 2026.

Motuapua’a won the Vaisigano 2 seat in the 2025 general elections as an Independent member. However, he resigned in February this year after the district asked him to join the ruling Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Government.

He defeated the former Minister of Health by a landslide, Luapitofanua Togamana Tafito who competed under the HRPP Opposition Party banner.

Tunumafono is a newcomer who replaces Seve Te’i Fuimaono who won in the 2025 general elections but lost her seat after the court found her guilty of corrupt election practices.

New Associate Ministers
Both Tunumafono and Motuopua’a were also sworn-in as Associate Ministers after being sworn-in as Members of Parliament.

Motuopua’a now serves as the Associate Minister for the Ministry of Health and Tunumafono for the Ministry of Inland Revenue.

Both MPs were congratulated by the Speaker and Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt.

It brings the composition of the House to 32 MPs supporting the ruling FAST Government, Opposition HRPP 13 MPs, 3 for SUP and 2 Independents. A further by election is coming up when the Vaimauga 3 MP who previously supported HRPP, resigned from parliament this morning to support the FAST government.