By Staff Writer
The celebration of Waitangi day on Friday night made it possible for the Prime Minister to give grateful mention to the helping hand by New Zealand to Samoa during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PM Tuilaepa thanked New Zealand as a ‘critical partner’ in the return of stranded Samoans by allowing for regular flights to fly them home including weekly cargo flights.
“New Zealand remains one of these critical partners to ensure; the continued weekly flights to ensure adequate necessary supplies, the support for the repatriation of thousands of Samoans and more recently the kind offer of COVID19 vaccinations for our population akin to similar commitments of assistance from our other development partners,” PM Tuilaepa said in his Waitangi Day official remarks celebrated at the NZ High Commissioner’s Vailima residence.
Keeping the seasonal workers scheme going despite the pandemic was highlighted as well.
“The ongoing seasonal workers scheme even in the thick of border restrictions continue to improve livelihoods of many Samoan families,” he continued.
The scholarship programme for student studies although delayed and the “multiple projects especially to support the various focal sectors were noted as the key still in place for Samoa’s development.”
Samoa and New Zealand has enjoyed very close ties since the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries that has been in place for close to 60 years .
“We continue to live up to the promise of this special treaty, which is most evident in our people to people connections and the increased number of those of Samoan descent who have secured positions in the various echelons of the NZ parliament.”
Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs signed what is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document.
