Leauva’a supports having its own seat in parliament

Staff Reporters/

Apia, SAMOA – 27 October 2026 – The village of Leauvaa that the 2019 Electoral Act removed from its traditional identity under the Gagaemauga 1 constituency in Savaii, has supported having its separate seat if the amendment to the Electoral Act gets the two thirds majority support of Parliament.

Leauvaa is historically and traditionally part of the Gagaemauga 1 constituency as its residents were related by blood and history to Lealatele, Mauga, Samalaeulu and Patamea villages. But they were forced to be evacuated when Mt Matavanu erupted in 1905 covering a major part of the villages by lava.

They settled in what is now Leauvaa placing them in the middle of the traditional Sagaga district. But they had continued to vote for the Gagaemauga 1 seat in Savaii. That was until 2019 when Leauvaa was combined with the Aleisa residents creating the Sagaga 3 seat.

But this arrangement presented more issues as the residents of Aleisa face a cultural barrier as they do not have traditional links to Leauvaa and were seen as outsiders when the traditional village of Leauvaa make the major decisions especially on the division of the District Development funds.

When the FAST Party met with Leauvaa and Aleisa residents before the 2025 general elections, the Party leadership promised that if they became the Government, they would consult further on how Leauvaa and Gagaemauga 1 see their political future and representation in parliament.

Last Saturday, the FAST Government met with the chiefs and orators of Leauvaa and a representation from Aleisa to seek how they see their political future.

A strong representation from Lealatele, Mauga, Samalaeulu and Patamea villages in Savaii gathered at Leauvaa last Saturday and met with the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The prevailing consensus was that Leauvaa did not want to be part of Sagaga as there is no cultural connection.

The alternative was to create its own seat in Parliament but will still be part of the Gagaemauga 1 cultural district. The villages of Lealatele, Mauga and Samalaeulu in Savaii want to remain as Gagaemauga 1 which essentially means there will be two seats for Gagaemauga 1 if this becomes part of the amendment if passed by parliament.

The Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Fosi Schmidt explained the Governments plans to create two Urban Seats where the residents of Aleisa can vote.

He also explained the plan to create additional seats for Aiga ile Tai and Faasaleleaga 3 and resetting the existing electoral boundaries to be in line with the recognized historical and traditional boundaries of Samoa.

While there was a consensus at last Saturdays meeting at Leauvaa, the Prime Minister said that for the record, the Member of Parliament and the chiefs and orators of the district must put together a signed petition that must clearly indicate their wish for Leauvaa to have its own seat in parliament and to remain under the Gagemauga 1 district that will have its own seat to represent the voters living in the district on Savaii Island.

The Government is holding further consultations with Aiga ile Tai and Faasaleleaga 3 and other districts where there are proposed boundary changes that would make up the amendments to the Electoral Act for parliament to pass.