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2 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
Samoans living abroad must complete their full voter registration by 4 July if they wish to vote in the country's upcoming general election. Samoa's Electoral Commissioner, Toleafoa Tuiafelolo John Stanley, said while online registration is still available for overseas voters, completing the process requires a physical return to Samoa to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs. But he said the electoral office was "doing fine" to be ready.
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2 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
It's official: Samoa will be heading to the polls in August. Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, Samoa's Head of State, has issued the formal writ confirming that elections are set for 29 August this year. This declaration follows the Samoan government's failure to pass its budget, which led to the prime minister advising the Head of State to dissolve parliament.
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3 weeks ago | 
pacific.scoop.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
Article – RNZ“I didn’t want the children to miss out on the richness of the values.”Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific JournalistWhile many childrens books are written in Samoan, Alagā’upu Fa’asamoa ma Uiga mo Tamaiti may be the first to bring fa’amatai (the chiefly system) and traditional proverbs into a story made for young readers.
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3 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai |Christina Persico
Former Black Ferns sevens player Shiray Kaka says one of the reasons she is learning Samoan to pass on her heritage to her baby boy, who is due in August. Kaka first played for New Zealand's sevens team in 2013, and has an Olympic gold medal from the Tokyo Games. Her mother is Māori from Ngāti Maniapoto and her father is Samoan from the village of Moata'a.
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3 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence. Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa removed La'auli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the second week of January. A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister.
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3 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
Samoa's Supreme Court has ruled against extra time for the Electoral Commission to complete the electoral rolls ahead of an early election. It follows the formal dissolution of its parliament on 3 June in the wake of several months of political uncertainty. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa had said she would call for the dissolution of parliament if Cabinet did not support her government's budget.
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3 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai |Christina Persico
Some elderly Samoans have finally regained New Zealand citizenship after waiting decades, following a bill revoking an old law passing through New Zealand's parliament. But for many, there's still no pension in sight. In October 2024, New Zealand passed the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Restoration Amendment Act, restoring a pathway to citizenship to Samoans born between 13 May 1924 and 1 January 1949. Many had theirs stripped under the Citizenship Act 1982.
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3 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
A student-led church service at Auckland's Papatoetoe High School celebrated the beginning of Samoan Language Week in Aotearoa. High school students have celebrated Samoan Language Week by showcasing their cultural heritage through Bible readings, prayers, singing, and dancing. Papatoetoe high school Samoan language teacher and dean, Timo Morisa, said the event was "stellar". "It felt like I was in a white Sunday service," he said.
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3 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
Samoa's Electoral Commissioner says his office has filed an affidavit to the Supreme Court, seeking legal direction and an extra six weeks to complete the electoral roll ahead of an early election. The move follows the announcement of the formal dissolution of Parliament, which comes into force Tuesday, 3 June. The Constitution requires a general election to be held within 90 days. The regular general election had been scheduled for April 2026.
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3 weeks ago | 
radionz.co.nz | Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
Former National MP Anae Lupematasila Lima Arthur John Anae has received a King's Service Medal in the King's birthday honours. Anae Arthur Anae has been honoured for services to the Samoan community. "On behalf of our community, I'm thrilled for it, because this isn't me. This is not mine," Anae said.
