14 Jun 2022

Samoa PM starts first official visit to New Zealand

From , 6:02 am on 14 June 2022

Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa was warmly welcomed by more than 200 members of the Samoan community at Auckland University of Technology - ahead of the official programme for her first visit to New Zealand as Samoa's Prime Minister.

The reception began with an acknowledgement of Samoa's 60th anniversary of independence, and noted the official photo from June 1st showing Fiame raising the Samoan flag alongside a black and white image of her father - Samoa's first prime minister Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u - lowering the New Zealand flag in 1962.

Fiame spoke openly about her role as Samoa's first female prime minister, including questions about the influence of her parents.

Samoan prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.

Samoan prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver