Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will lead a parliamentary and community delegation to Samoa from 1-2 August to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, between New Zealand and Samoa.
Prime Minister Ardern says the trip builds on Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mataafa’s visit to New Zealand in June and provides another opportunity for us to reflect on our shared past and think ahead to a shared future.
In 1962 Samoa became the first Pacific nation to achieve independence after more than 50 years of New Zealand’s administration. Two months later the Treaty of Friendship was signed, committing both governments to working together to promote the welfare of the people of Samoa, and conduct the relationship in the spirit of close friendship.
The delegation to Samoa includes, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage,Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, National party leader of the opposition, Christopher Luxon alongside representatives from each political party in Parliament and a delegation of New Zealand and Pacific leaders.
