The Governor-General of New Zealand, the Hon Anand Satyanand, will make his first State Visit to Samoa next week, reinforcing the strong ties between the two South Pacific nations.
While the Governor-General and Her Excellency Susan Satyanand represented New Zealand at the funeral in May of the Head of State, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, this visit marks their first State Visit to Samoa.
The Official Party, which includes the Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, will officially begin their visit to Samoa on Monday 6 August by calling on the newly elected Head of State, His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi before visiting the Prime Minister, the Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.
Over the next three days they also participate in a Royal Ava ceremony and will visit the Lands and Titles Court, as well as schools and projects supported by NZAID. They will also tour the facilities for the forthcoming South Pacific Games, which will be held from late August.
The relationship between Samoa and New Zealand is close with strong personal and family ties as well as substantial political, economic and sporting links. More than 130,000 people of Samoan descent now live in New Zealand and people of Samoan descent make up almost half of all Pacific peoples living in New Zealand. An important element of the bilateral relationship is the unique 1962 Treaty of Friendship, concluded shortly after Samoa gained independence.
The Governor-General said the visit was an opportunity to affirm the strong relationship between the two South Pacific nations.
"The relationship between New Zealand and Samoa is particularly rich and has many strands. Many people of Samoan descent now call New Zealand home while many Samoan leaders have been educated in New Zealand. The deep relationships between various government agencies in education, health, justice, defence and police are underpinned by the 1962 Treaty of Friendship—the only one of its kind either country has signed."
For further enquiries contact:
Antony Paltridge, Public Affairs Officer, Government House on 04-382-0827 or 021 470 583