FILE PHOTOS : Scotland vs Manu Samoa

By Staff Writer

Scotland taking on the Manu Samoa at the Apia Park Stadium is one of the big rugby treats lined up for the home fans. this year

The international is one of the main attractions in the Lakapi Samoa tight Calendar in 15-aside rugby for 2025.

Tonga is coming too as well as Fiji.

“Scotland is touring us in July followed by Tonga,” recently appointed Lakapi Samoa Chief Executive Officer, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun disclosed.

Fiji is up against the Manu Samoa in a home away match for the Pacific Nations Cup, PNC.

The 6-nations PNC championship is played in two pools with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in Pool A and Japan, Canada and the USA in Pool B.

 A game away to play Tonga and the US in the PNC tournament are among the internationals for the Manu Samoa outside home base.

The major international outing for the home side, however, is the November tour of Europe to wrap up the year.

“This is also a critical year for the Manu Samoa to qualify for the 2027 World Cup and a better placing at the end of the PNC will make that possible,” Seumanu stressed.

Since the recent resignation by Manu Samoa coach Coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger, the priority is finding a replacement.

Budget funding remains the main challenge for Lakapi Samoa in putting the Manu Samoa together from a pool of both overseas and local players.

Funding commitments are in the millions of tala not just for the full 15 men rugby but 7-a-side rugby as well.

Women’s rugby are also establishing a dominating presence in the international scene with recent successes by the Manu Sina.

The women are already qualified for the Women’s 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.

The Manu Sina 7’s also made headlines in the international scene for the year ended 2024.

So maybe the rolling  staccato is distant but only for now – today in fact.

Betcha by sunset it’ll be throbbing like Mt. Vaea is about to blow up and roll over into Apia.

Since the sounds seems to be echoing into town from our Mulinu’u Peninsula pray it’s not a tsunami threatening to burst from under our Parliament House.

We have a lot of important folks doing a lot of talking in there tomorrow. We depend on them to leading us into peace and harmony.

Hopefully they’re in shape to waddle out into safety if the rumbling turns into the swamp exploding from under their feet.

On second thoughts maybe God will keep them safe.

They’re so fond of throwing around His Will in all the talk they do, why should surprise us to see them floating out on angel wings?

Just wondering if Lucifer will be around. Major shock if some stumble out the door with horns behind their ears

“…..Lord help us all if that happens, dear.

Samoan Master Chef, Monica Taumate Galetti, lined up for home visit

By Staff Writer

 Born in Samoa Master Chef, Monica Taumate Galetti, is helping raise the image of Samoa as a tourist destination across Europe, United States and Australia, where her culinary skills in the global stage is renowned.

She is a Tourism Ambassador for Samoa responsible for promotional contributions through her career success.

The Samoa Tourism Authority is looking ahead to welcoming her home on a two weeks visit from January 26 to February 8.

CEO Toleafoa Pativaine Petaia-Tevita, of the Samoa Tourism Authority, is keen to spend time with the Master Chef during her visit.

“We are excited to welcome Galetti—both an ambassador for the Samoa Tourism Authority and a daughter of Samoa who has garnered international acclaim,” Toleafoa said in a media statement.

“Her visit will undoubtedly bolster Samoa’s worldwide visibility, and we look forward to attracting more visitors to our islands.”  

Born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand,Galetti earned her Diploma in Hospitality from the Central Institute of Technology New Zealand.

Her profile in the culinary world received a quick boost by competing in prestigious cooking competitions across Australia, the United States, and Europe. 

A significant turning point in her career was when she moved to London in the late 1990s.

 In 2017, she opened her own restaurant, Mere, named after her mother in London in collaboration with her husband, David Galetti. 

She soon established herself in the culinary industry not only as a master chef, successful restaurateur, and the author of two acclaimed cookbooks—Monica’s Kitchen and The Skills—but a television personality as well.

Not only was she a respected presenter but a judge on BBC2’s prestigious cooking show, MasterChef: The Professionals. 

Galetti co-hosted 6 series of the BBC2 documentary television series since 2017, Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, showcasing her expertise and engaging personality in the culinary field.

The Samoan Chef is one of five siblings and was born in the village of Fa’atoia with three brothers and one sister. 

Her mother, Papalii Melegalenuu Poumau, was the youngest of nine children born to Kaiserina Faamoe Steven and Papalii Asiata Fauatea Poumau.

 Papalii Asiata served as the Education Minister under Samoa’s first Prime Minister, Fiame Mata’afa from 1964 to 1967.

Monica’s father, the late Tuala Auimatagi Eric Fa’afiti, hailed from Leauva’a and Malie.

Seeking better opportunities, Monica’s parents decided to move to New Zealand. 

In the early 1980s, Monica and her sister joined the rest of their family in New Zealand, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Monica’s father was so proud of her becoming a brand ambassador for Samoa in the UK and Europe, sadly he passed away in October 2024in Samoa.

Surely the offer of at least one or two new HRPP Ministers of Cabinet would have gone down well in any hopes by the PM for a coalition Government.

Would have been a much needed sweetener for Stui and Co. really.

Hard to fault any ‘out of joint noses’ if there are any on their side at being overlooked.

Being made out to be there ‘just to make up the numbers’ gives it an even harder twist.

Laauli would have picked up on that, somewhere along the way.

If or when he does, he’d sweet talk everyone into making him out as the victim.

By the time he’s done talking, people will be convinced he is deserving of their full support.

He’s the best at doing that. He’s turned his gift of making believers out of people down to an art form. 

Just look at all the political troubles we’re in now. 

“…..Hitler had the same kind of appeal  it led the Germans into heaps of trouble, dear.

Where is the sweetener?

Surely the offer of at least one or two new HRPP Ministers of Cabinet would have gone down well in any hopes by the PM for a coalition Government.

Would have been a much needed sweetener for Stui and Co. really.

Hard to fault any ‘out of joint noses’ if there are any on their side at being overlooked.

Being made out to be there ‘just to make up the numbers’ gives it an even harder twist.

Laauli would have picked up on that, somewhere along the way.

If or when he does, he’d sweet talk everyone into making him out as the victim.

By the time he’s done talking, people will be convinced he is deserving of their full support.

He’s the best at doing that. He’s turned his gift of making believers out of people down to an art form. 

Just look at all the political troubles we’re in now. 

“…..Hitler had the same kind of appeal  it led the Germans into heaps of troubles, dear.

The world sits captivated as the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party writes its own chapter in Samoa’s history. 

It is a story with plot twists and tails that Tusitala himself could have written.

It would make for a great comedy of errors if it was not so tragic. 

We can only hope that our economy will withstand the impact that the current political uncertainty will have on investor and donor confidence as well as our credit worthiness. 

In such times, we must all support our Police and village leaders’ efforts in ensuring law and order.

For 4 years, Samoa has suffered at the hands of a Kakistocracy that refused to put the needs of the nation and people above their personal interests. 

The nation’s endless patience was taken for granted as they learned their new role during their “on the job training,” a luxury that no new government in the world gets. 

It was simple. 

All the ruling Party needed to do was carry out the development projects that were handed to them by previous governments. 

They could have taken the credit, and Samoa would have benefited.

Instead, from day one, the Party leadership wanted to settle personal scores by targeting political rivals and their families.

This was coupled with an obsession with outdated development strategies including shortsighted and wasteful village gimmick schemes, at the expense of national development projects.

Not long ago, the FAST Party was globetrotting, dancing, singing songs and reaching into the pockets of hard-working Samoans. 

Meanwhile, the work of parliamentary committees sat incomplete, roads and hospitals deteriorated, cost of living skyrocketed, crime and drug abuse increased, and bills went unpaid.

For the first time in history, Samoa and its diaspora experienced a government that spent more time fundraising for its political and private agenda than actually developing the nation! 

For 4 years, there were many warnings from all parts of the community, calling on the ruling Party to uphold the rule of law. 

And for 4 years, these calls went ignored!

Upholding the rule of law, accountability and transparency is easier said than done. 

Facing the consequences of their actions, we now watch as the Party Leadership scrambles to pick up the pieces. 

As another famous Scot said, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practiced to deceive.”

With elections only one year out, the FAST Party’s newfound commitment to the rule of law is just too little and too late. 

Nevertheless, it is a good start!

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP

By Mataeliga Pio Sioa 

The best and most logical option for Fiame to take right now is to call general elections.

A coalition Government will only prolong the agony of being dragged along the political mess we are all in.

Take the blame for the shame her ruling FAST party has put on our proud leadership image and move on. 

Please we have wallowed in this God forsaken political muck too long.

FAST rode into power on the crest of political turbulence and now they are riding out the same way they came in.

Unfortunately this time their leadership unity badly shredded and in tatters.

Clean up the slate Fiame and walk out with a clean conscience.

 Calling general elections is the right choice. Would have said it is God’s Will but lets not join the ungodly chorus of, ’Using The Lord’s Name In Vain’.

The Heavenily Father must be cringing at the deafening use of His good name to dodge and hide the truth by the people He created as Samoans.

‘Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows’ is spot on if and when this political marriage of convenience do take place.

A coalition between the PM and the leader of opposition would indeed make strange bed partners.

The mind wanders.

Do they cuddle or lie back to back without touching?

Maybe at first they would lie facing the ceiling.

Where they turn next is what concerns us.

Do we want to wait and see how it turns out in the few months left of the term?

Would that leave the kind of firm leadership we desperately need to continue to dangle in limbo?

Will it stop Laauli’s loud, disruptive, banging at the door to claim his right to the same bed these two have taken up?

 How can we all return to a normal life of peace and quiet if he keeps up with his yelping door banging racket?

Tuilaepa should walk out of the room and leave Fiame to tidy up the bed for whoever uses it next before she too leaves. 

Going to the election polls is the key we hold to the person of our choice to lead us.

We hold the key to that door.

The key to a room needed to bed down any political coalition should be flushed out into the deep sea beyond the reef.

Tuilaepa agrees.  

Well he did before meeting up with Fiame at their Parliament House Committee meeting on Thursday.

Has he changed his mind? Let’s hope not.

He has already silenced any election budget worries by pointing his experienced finger to the ‘vire funding’ solution.

So what is stopping us from an early return to the election polls? Stop pestering God and His Will. Please.

The Lord gave us the freedom of Free Will. Leave Him in peace and lets go to the polls and learn if this is His Will.

No sin in that BUT a lot of relief for us and to our poor Lord too.

STAR-IN-THE-MAKING : Samoan-Australian tennis player, Destanee Aiava, takes Samoan and Pacific Island to a star level in the international sporting scene. Photo ABC Sports

By Staff Writer

A Samoan- Australian female tennis player is turning heads as a rapidly emerging young star with recent international tournament successes.

Australian sports media are calling Destanee Aiava a tennis player with an already growing army of fans.

The Melbourne-based player won her first grand slam last week when she defeated Belgian Greet Minnen.

The win makes the 24 year old the first Samoan and Pacific heritage player to win in a grand slam event, according to media reports. 

Aiava went on this week to compete in the  Australian Open where she was unsuccessful in a gritty second-round match loss to American Danielle Collins.

Aiava lost the first set before winning in the second before the  world number 11 ranked American rallied to win the third set against the crowd favourite.

The emerging tennis star is ranked 10 in Australia and 177 in the World Tennis Association./

MEDIA RELEASE : In accordance with section 3(b) of the Parliamentary Under Secretaries Act 1988,appointments as Associate Ministers for the Members of Parliament provided hereunder,have been terminated with immediate effect. 

This emanates from the issue of confidence in the Prime Minister to continue to work with the Associate Ministers, and the Associate Ministers’ expression of no confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership.

These include;

1. Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa, Associate Minister Commerce, Industry and Labour.
2. Fuiono Tenina Crichton, Associate Minister Communications and InformationTechnology.
3. Maiava Fuimaono Tito Asafo, Associate Minister Agriculture and Fisheries.
4. Seuamuli Fasi Toma, Associate Minister Women, Community and Social Development.
5. Hon. Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota, Associate Minister Police, Prisons and Corrections.
6. Agaseata Valelilo Tanuvasa Peto, Associate Minister Education and Culture.
7. Tea Tooala Peato, Associate Minister Health.
8. viii.Magele Sekati Fiaui, Associate Minister of Finance, initially appointed as AssociateMinister of Communication and Information Technology.
9. Fo’isala Lilo Tu’u Ioane, Associate Minister Health.
10. Fesola’i Apulu Tusiupu Tuigamala, Associate Minister Justice and CourtsAdministration.
11. Ale Vena Ale, Associate Minister Customs and Revenue.
12. Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe, Associate Minister Customs and Revenue.
13. Manuleleua Paletasala Tovale, Associate Minister Prime Minister and Cabinet.                           The termination of Fepuleai Faasavalu Faimata Su’a’s appointment as Associate Minister for Police, Prisons and Corrections was issued and made effective from 24th November2023.          The functions and responsibilities of the Executive Arm of Government continue under theleadership of the Prime Minister – Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, and Cabinet.                              The issue of confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership rests with Parliament. It is not a responsibility of a political party.

WAITING WAITING :  PM Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and HRPP opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, at their separate get togethers with the local media. recently

By Staff Writer

The holding of early general elections is the preferred option by the opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, to quickly restore political harmony in Samoa.

Tuilaepa turned religious, however, when it is about a preferred   timing for the country to go to the polls.

“God willing it could either be 2026 or 2030 ,” he suggested in jest at his weekly session with the local media on Thursday.

“It’s a Government decision and unless Fiame asks for my advice I am reluctant to give any,“ Tuilaepa added on a serious note.

 The former Prime Minister commended Fiame for standing firm on upholding the rule of law as the foundation to Good Governance through transparency and accountability.

A serious worry for Tuilaepa is what he asserted to be an overwhelming belief by Government party members they are not answerable to the law.

 “The underlying opinion by members is they have the power as the ruling party regardless of any criminal activities they’re involved in,” he pointed out.

“This is an issue for our church leaders to take up in their sermons on the sins of dishonesty.”

Tuilaepa highlighted the many underhand dealings involving several Cabinet Ministers as examples with the FAST party chairman and former Minister of Agriculture, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt in the forefront.

The most notable is the 400 acres of Government land offered to American Samoa.

Mention of an illegal shipment of guns and of misleading customs duty claims on a less costly fridge when it was a more expensive generator instead.

Tuilaepa also recalled the proposed stock market for Samoa the the Minister of Finance at the time, Mulipola Anarosa tried to set up.

He highlighted as well the illegal border crossings from American Samoa by a boat and an aircraft on an inbound flight that landed without official clearance.

“Laauli should have listened to Fiame and let the law take its course, who knows, the PM has the power over Cabinet and she could bring him back in and sent some one out.”

Tuilaepa expelled worries of the Government having to struggle for a budget to cover the unexpected costs of calling new general elections.

“Government development projects in progress can be delayed or set aside to allow for money to be vire off for the general elections, its an established process that has been done many times before.”

The collapse of the FAST unity is no surprise to the HRPP Leader who claimed they had predicted it from the beginning.

He turned religious again though on the options the HRPP can take to resolve the FAST Leadership party breakup by leaving it to the will of God.

But he was not forthcoming about the governing policies the 

While the general elections may return the HRPP to power, the governing policies they plan to restore political and economic stability in the country are not for public information.

“We have our own policies but the mandate for running the country  is with FAST and unless we are empowered to take over then we would do so.”

Tuilaepa expects to meet up with the Prime Minister as members of the House Committee of Parliament due to meet today to prepare for the opening session next Tuesday.

He would not go into whether they have any plans to talk, as the country watches and waited with anxious anticipation, what is likely to transpire when Parliament is in session next week.