Source: New Zealand Governor General
Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.
Talofa
Richard and I are delighted to host you all this evening.
I extend a very special welcome to the O le Ao o le Malo, His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi the Second, and Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo.
The Ceremony of Welcome afforded to you today affirms and celebrates the very special connection between Samoa and New Zealand.
And what a special moment it was for the children from the Naenae Primary School’s Tava’e Bilingual Samoan Unit. We were so pleased they could be present at the welcome, and I am sure they will remember it for years to come.
It is an absolute pleasure for Richard and me to renew our acquaintance with you, and to repay the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality extended to us during our visit to Samoa in 2022.
During our time in Upolo and Savai’i, I experienced a deep sense of pride, connection and kinship through my own Polynesian ancestry – and it was a particularly joyful homecoming for my Official Secretary, Alice Ropata.
At Maagiagi Village we were delighted to help launch the “Save the Manumea” campaign – which I trust is helping to raise awareness of the wellbeing of your beloved national bird.
Just a few weeks later, we met under much more sombre circumstances, at the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – and just over a year ago, we returned to London to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
While we were in London, Richard and I were privileged to witness your powerful and heartfelt address to representatives of island nations. Your Highness, the humanity, wisdom and insights you expressed that day reflect a lifetime of distinguished service to your nation – in education, the law, and politics, as well as your commitment to international collaboration to address regional challenges.
Our nations are close Pacific friends, we have shared principles and values, and the prosperity and security of our nations and peoples are inextricably linked. That relationship has been acknowledged and strengthened by our 2024 Statement of Partnership, which identifies five priority areas for cooperation until 2028: partnership, security, empowering communities, building climate resilience, and inspiring growth.
The focus of New Zealand’s support is in the priority areas of health, education and scholarships, tourism, private sector support, and economic and institutional resilience.
In recent years, our nations have collaborated effectively in our response to the measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand’s Ministry of Health worked with authorities in Samoa to keep COVID-19 out of the community until March 2022, thus enabling good progress with Samoa’s vaccination programme before the outbreak. Those efforts must have been deeply appreciated by the Samoan people, as well as the over 180,000 New Zealanders who can claim Samoan heritage.
Aotearoa has benefited immeasurably from the aspirations, talents and energy of Samoans who have chosen to make their home here – in fields as diverse as music, film, fine arts, sport, religious life, commerce, literature, government, and education. And here I must acknowledge Your Highness’s own contribution during your time serving as a police officer in New Zealand.
Looking ahead, no doubt you are focussing on Samoa’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October and the opportunities it will present to work with other nations in affirming and building on the core values established under the Commonwealth Charter, and in highlighting the concerns and interests of small island states.
We look forward to even closer ties between New Zealand and Samoa in the future – capitalising on the energy and resolve both nations can bring to addressing the challenges of our times, and creating a sustainable and prosperous future for our peoples.
Once again, I extend a warm welcome to our honoured guests. Richard and I are delighted to be your hosts, and will do all we can to make your stay in Aotearoa enjoyable and memorable.
