Attorney General Acknowledges Phillipa Currie’s Contribution

Apia, SAMOA – 31 August 2026 – The Office of the Attorney General of Samoa wishes to publicly express its deepest appreciation and sincere gratitude to Ms Phillipa Currie of Raymond Donnelly & Co, Christchurch, New Zealand, who generously volunteered an entire month of her time to work alongside, mentor and train the lawyers of the Attorney General’s Office.

For the past month, Phillipa became very much a part of our Office. She worked side by side with our lawyers, sharing her knowledge and extensive practical experience, providing guidance on difficult matters, strengthening advocacy and legal skills, and, most importantly, investing her time in the professional development of our people.

What makes Phillipa’s contribution particularly special is that she volunteered her time.

She came to Samoa not simply to deliver a training programme and leave, but to work alongside our lawyers in their everyday environment to understand the challenges they face, to discuss cases and legal issues with them, to mentor them and to help build their confidence and capability as government lawyers.

That generosity of spirit means a great deal to our Office.

The Attorney General, Mauga Precious Chang, said, “There is something very special about a person who is prepared to give an entire month of her time simply to help others grow”.

Phillipa did not come to Samoa merely as a visiting lawyer. She became part of our team. She sat with our lawyers, listened to them, challenged them, encouraged them and generously shared the lessons and experience she has gained throughout her own legal career.

Our goal is to build an Attorney General’s Office with good lawyers who are confident, capable, and committed to serving Samoa. That cannot be achieved through textbooks alone and classroom teaching. Our young lawyers need experienced practitioners who are prepared to stand beside them, teach them and show them different ways of doing things.

The Attorney General also acknowledged Raymond Donnelly & Co in Christchurch for supporting Phillipa’s contribution to Samoa and for recognising the importance of strengthening legal capability and professional relationships across the Pacific.

The benefits of Phillipa’s month with the Office will extend well beyond her time in Samoa. The knowledge she has shared will continue to be passed between lawyers, incorporated into the Office’s training and mentoring, and ultimately reflected in the quality of legal services provided to the Government and people of Samoa.

The Office believes that strengthening Samoa’s legal institutions requires not only resources, but also strong professional relationships with experienced lawyers and institutions who are willing to share knowledge and invest in the next generation. Phillipa’s contribution is a wonderful example of that partnership in action.

As her time with the Office comes to an end, we say Fa’afetai tele lava, Phillipa!