The newest political party in Samoa has appointed women in six of its top party positions in an unprecedented move in modern local politics.
The Samoa Party positions include the president, vice-president and secretary.
Party leader and founder, Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong, says the appointments shouldn't come as a surprise as women have always been powerful in Samoan custom.
Su'a says the first Samoan royal was Queen Salamasina who was followed by her daughter.
He says the warrior Nafanua was also a female which illustrates the important place women have in Samoan culture.
"They are very powerful and that's what our fa'a Samoa is, you know. I don't believe there is any discrimination in our fa'a Samoa about women here and this election in our party was purely based on merit."
The Samoa Party is to be officially launched next week.
