The O le Ao o le Malo Tutoatasi o Samoa (Head of State of Samoa), His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, will be formally welcomed to New Zealand by the Governor-General, Hon Anand Satyanand, at a State Welcome at Government House in Wellington on 3 December 2007 at 11.30am.
The State Welcome will include a traditional Maori welcome, a haka by students from Wellington College, a 21 gun salute and an inspection of a guard of honour.
Media planning to cover this event must contact Antony Paltridge, Public Affairs Officer at Government House, on 04 382 0827 or 021 470 583 by 10am on 3 December.
For further information about the Head of States' visit to New Zealand and his other engagements, please contact Joe Frahm, Deputy Director, Visits and Ceremonial Office, Internal Affairs on 471 9563 or 021 439 625