Cabinet endorses three days Independence celebrations in June 

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 26 January 2026 – Samoa’s 64th Independence celebrations in June will be held over three days to feature traditional sporting events that will attract the diaspora and the inter Samoa longboats – Fautasi races.

The Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt told the media that the celebrations will underscore the deep meaning and spirit of independence and to celebrate and honour the forefathers’ sacrifice that today’s generations are enjoying as a free country.

He said the three-day celebration is not new as the celebrations were gradually cut from three to one and at times half a day and the events that used to be the highlight of previous celebrations will be revived.

The Organising Committee is now working on a program with the intention for schools and organisations to start marching from the Government building in Apia towards Mulinu’u for the official flag raising ceremony.

The Prime Minister said a Samoan Cricket Championships League will invite teams from Australia, New Zealand and United States with the final to be held during the celebrations.

The popular longboats races will also be revived, and he has invited the American Samoa modern longboats who may race in a heat on their own with the traditional Samoan longboats on a separate heat.

Celebrating local independence heroes
The Prime Minister said that Samoa tends to honour the lives lost in other wars such as the ANZAC Day commemoration but forget the local heroes who fought and paved the way for Samoa’s independence from colonial rulers.

“They need to be recognized, honoured and remembered,” he said.

The Government also intends to bring back the original music artists, traditional sports and entertainments such as the traditional dances – the mau’ulu’ulu in a Siva Samoa competition.

Plans are also to revive the dying art of the brass bands and marching girl’s competitions with a very few village brass bands still existing as they no longer have a stage to perform over the years.

The celebrations will also coincide with the official opening of the Legislative Offices and the new upgraded parliament building.