Letter to the Editor Lei’ataua Nielsen Petersen Talofa lava Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Lau Afioga Tuisinavemaulumotootua. I write as a Samoan citizen living in Manukau City, Auckland NZ and as someone who cares deeply about Samoa and the strong Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand . I have seen a letter dated 21st August 2026 circulating to your office claiming to speak “on behalf of thousands of Samoans in NZ and the diasporas” regarding the NZ PM Fellowship awa

What began as a vision five years ago has reached a significant milestone in New Zealand, with Samoan products now appearing on the shelves of Z service stations operated by Samoan businessman Rev. Lavea Tuilimu Toleafoa Larry Tupaʻi — and he is calling on the community to support the initiative so Samoa itself can benefit.

Government and Opposition MPs have found common ground on the need to protect business opportunities for Samoan citizens, as Parliament debated major amendments to Samoa’s foreign investment laws.

The Central Bank of Samoa Amendment Bill 2026 has passed its second reading in Parliament despite opposition from the HRPP, with Minister of Finance Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo giving a detailed defence of the reforms and insisting they will not diminish the independence of the Central Bank of Samoa.