What happened when Parliament travelled to Samoa, and why it matters – صحيفة الصوت

In a fleeting visit lasting just 24 hours, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, three of her MPs and seven Opposition MPs enjoyed the best hospitality Samoa has to offer. While there was a lot of pomp and ceremony, the short trip also covered serious issues which Samoa, New Zealand and the wider Pacific face.

The short visit started with an ‘ava ceremony, akin to a pōhiri in Aotearoa, followed by a lavish dinner at the old homestead of author Robert Louis Stevenson. The streets of Apia were dotted with New Zealand flags, as the police marching band assembled for a guard of honour on Tuesday morning.

There’s no doubt the MPs left Samoa early on Tuesday afternoon well-fed and entertained. The word “humbled” popped up often, too, in discussions with the ACT, Labour, National and Māori Party leaders.

READ MORE:
* Samoa prepares to fly former prime minister to New Zealand for medical care
* Covid-19: Vanuatu RSE workers excited about one-way travel bubble with NZ
* Jacinda Ardern congratulates new Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa

This region faces a mountain of challenges, including a climate crisis, recessions, geopolitical jostling and a pandemic. Face-to-face meetings offered a moment to come together and assess the situation.

Ardern made an announcement of funding for projects to address climate change and the economic downturn triggered by Covid-19. But the relationships built between the Samoan and New Zealand governments could prove far more influential than a one-off funding announcement.

What actually happened in Samoa?

• On Monday, a New Zealand Air Force plane was the first flight to arrive in Samoa since after it opened its border that morning.
• Ardern noted this delegation was somewhat “unusual”. That’s because the Government invited representatives from all political parties, including National leader Christopher Luxon, ACT’s David Seymour and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngawera-Packer.

• Following a request from Samoa’s prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Ardern confirmed $12 million to rebuild the iconic Savalalo Market on Apia’s waterfront. It burnt down in 2016, but was once a “lifeline” for local businesspeople. It was especially important for women and small businesses in Samoa, Ardern said, as it offered them the chance to make a living by selling produce and homemade crafts to tourists and locals.
• Ardern also confirmed $15m for climate change projects in Samoa. She expected it to fund the relocation of seaside villages, and protections such as sea walls.
• All the New Zealand politicians met Samoa’s Cabinet, to discuss a range of issues from climate change to the Pacific Islands Forum and also New Zealand’s RSE scheme. The bipartisan meeting with Samoa’s Government gave all politicians the opportunity to hear directly Samoa’s concerns.

• From the Cabinet meeting, a clear issue emerged with New Zealand’s RSE workers scheme. The scheme was set up to give seasonal work opportunities to people unemployed in the Pacific Islands, but Mata’afa said it was taking skilled workers away from Samoa. Seymour also criticised the scheme, saying it placed workers in a situation akin to “indentured servitude” as they couldn’t switch employers. Shortly before departing Samoa, Ardern said she had taken Samoa’s concerns on board and changes to the RSE scheme were possible – although the programme would continue.

Why this matters

• New Zealand and Samoa share deep connections. More Samoans live in New Zealand than in Samoa, and Samoan is New Zealand’s third most spoken language.
• For 48 years, ending in 1961, New Zealand ruled Samoa as a colony. That era was characterised by neglectful governance resulting in the Spanish Flu epidemic, and the horrific Black Saturday attack on Mau Movement protesters.
• But August 1 marked a more upbeat occasion. This year, it was the 60th anniversary of the “Treaty of Friendship” – signed after Samoa gained independence.
• The pomp, the meals and speeches are all part of something very important, talanoa. Building mutual understanding and relationships between New Zealand and Samoa, two culturally and geographically close island nations, was seen as important by MPs from both nations.

• Luxon and Seymour both left the country saying they’d learnt a lot about the nuance of politics in Samoa.
• Samoa, like many Pacific countries, is preparing its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic – which upended its economy and social life. Pre-pandemic, tourism accounted for 25% of the nation’s GDP. As Samoa adapts to life with Covid-19, it must also find a way to reorganise its economy.
• In Apia, business consultant Fonoti Samagapei Namulau’ulu arrived at the Government buildings to see the guard of honour for the New Zealand delegation. He said the two countries would always be partners, but he thought Samoa also needed to stand on its own. He said it risked becoming reliant on New Zealand, but could – given advances in technology – offer a lot more than migrant workforces.
• A rethink of the RSE scheme could be a move to focus more on growing Samoa’s productivity.

How this trip will be remembered

• For a mission focused on “friendship”, the group of opposing politicians understood the assignment.
• Samoa spared no expense in its hosting of the delegation, showing the exceptional value they place on their relationship with New Zealand. Prime Minister Mata’afa was only in New Zealand just over a month ago, which is when she invited the parliamentarians to Apia.
• Locals from across the island pitched in to pull off 24 hours, from the long hours put in by the police force, to the crew of waiters, cooks and entertainers who travelled to the reception dinner on Monday night. Many of them were back at their day jobs on Tuesday, and spoke about the excitement at finally having visitors back in Samoa.
• It’s been a very hard few years for island nations such as Samoa, but after two and a half years facing – as Mata’afa called it – the tyranny of isolation, meeting face-to-face could bring real benefits.