By Staff Writer
The ‘Lifelong Friends-Uo Mamae’ between Samoa and New Zealand was celebrated during the week under a ‘Polynesian sky and COVID free environment’.
These were the very words by the New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa Dr. Trevor Matheson last Monday when he hosted the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries.
The High Commissioner set the scene and tone of the celebrations before the local Government dignitaries led by the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, with praises of “….a land free of armed conflict, where democratic constitutional principles and the rule of law humbly prevail, and where traditions and customs are respected and valued.”
The Treaty of Friendship was signed on 1August 1962 as an agreement that emphasises the closeness of the relationship and is underpinned by “friendship, confidence, and a mutual endeavour to obtain for their peoples fuller opportunities for social progress,” Dr. Matheson said in his official remarks for the occasion.
“The strong bonds are also reinforced by sincere people-to-people relationships and the more than 180,000 New Zealanders of Samoan heritage.
The High Commissioner acknowledged the shared history of the two countries and paid tribute to the forefathers who built the ‘unique bilateral partnership ‘ in the past six decades.
But he admitted that the friendship has not all been plain sailing.
“Even the best of friends may disagree from time to time. But just like the Māori saying “Mā te kōrero, ka ora” – a little chat can go a long way – we’ve never stopped communicating.
“ So we’ve reconciled any differences as close friends and families often do. “We’ve offered formal apologies when required. And our bonds of friendship have become even stronger.”
The theme selection for the anniversary celebrations ‘Lifelong friends-Uo mamae’ is no surprise to the New Zealand envoy wit “some exciting events and high level visits in both directions to be announced in due course”
“In so many ways, Samoa is like a beacon of stability in the middle of the Pacific. I’d therefore like to end with a fitting Māori karakia whakamutunga:
Kua tipu nga raksu – The trees have grown
Kua puawai nga hua – The flowers have bloomed
Kua waiata nga manu – The birds have sung
Kua tau te wao – The forest has settled
Kua tau, kua tau, kua tau e –It is settled, it is settled, it is settled
Haere mai te aiotanga- Let the peace be amongst us
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e – Let us all be as one.
Dr. Matheson ended his remarks with a toast for diplomatic relationship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa to continue to prosper and grow over the next sixty years and beyond as they have to this day.