Government sets precedence in sending $300k gift from American Samoa to Treasury

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 4 December 2025: The Government has set a precedence by injecting the $300,000 tala gift received from the American Samoa Government into the Treasury.

According to the Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt the funds were presented to reciprocate the gifts from the Samoan government during last weeks opening of the new Fono Building of the American Samoa Legislature.

He said the funds given to Treasury cover $250,000 that was spent on the trip and cultural presentations and a $50,000 reserve for similar expenses in the future.

“E $300 afe lea ua ave i le Treasury e fesoasoani e fa’atupe o malaga fa’apenei, e aofia ai ma se fa’asiliga, e lelei a le fai atu ma tali mai a’o lelei se faapolopolo o iai.”

Samoa’s delegation to the opening of American Samoa’s Legislature new Fono Building included the Head of State, the Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Associate Ministers and over fifty members of the Police Band who travelled to and from on the Nafanua Patrol Boat.

The highlight of Samoan government’s presentation was the traditional Taalolo that included the presentation of high-quality fine mats, siapo, carcasses of beef, and food such as fish, roasted cocoa and taro.

The taalolo was led by the police brass band and Samoan government ministers and officials and assisted by close to a hundred Samoans residing and working for the StarKist Tuna cannery in American Samoa.

Laauli said the overall cost of the trip and expenses came to around $250,000.

The $300,000 was gifted by the American Samoan government to the Samoan people to reciprocate the presentations made.

According to Laauli, the Government is setting a new precedence where any monetary gifts made to government in official invitations are to be returned to the Treasury coffers.

“Ua fa’aleoina se amataga fou ia malamalama le atunuu…. soo se malaga masii e tapena ma le talitonuga i le tapuaiga a le atunuu. O le mafuaaga foi lea e fa’avasega ai ma toe fa’afoi i le Treasury.” he said.

Monetary gift for various organisation
The Prime Minister said the rest of the money from the trip has been gifted to the Ministry of Police and the brass band that accompanied Samoa’s delegation to America Samoa, Cabinet and Associate Ministers, and Chief Executive Officers who went on the trip,

Gifts have also been given to Members of the Council of Deputies and various charity organisations such as the Mapuifagalele & Logoipulotu Home for the Elderly, SVSG, Schools for children with disabilities, the Carmalite Monastery Sisters and the Goshen and Cancer Societies.

Monetary gifts were also given to former Prime Ministers Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

The invitation for the high-level delegation from the Samoan government hails the start of a renewed relationship between the two Samoas that started when the American Samoa Governor, Speaker and President of the Senate were invited to the swearing in the new FAST Government on 16 September, in Apia this year.

The Atoa o Samoa annual talks between the two Samoa’s is scheduled tentatively for March 2026 where issues such as border security and fight against illegal drugs, visa free travel and trade are among the priority issues on the agenda.