June 17, 2022
Samoan PM icon for Pacific women
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta says Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afe is an inspiration for women politicians in the region.
Prime Minister Mata’afe is on her first official tour of the country after taking office last year.
Yesterday she visited Heretaiunga to meet with Ngati Kahungunu and to talk with employers and Samoan workers involved in the recognised seasonal employer scheme.
Ms Mahuta says she’s the longest-serving Polynesian women across the Pacific and the first female Polynesian prime minister, and she brings to an enormously complex role both her chiefly mana and her democratic mandate.
“She’s a seasoned politician. She’s had a range of responsibilities during her time in politics but she also knows we’ve got about 200,000, it could be more, Samoans who live in New Zealand, call New Zealand home but are actually really connected back to their home country so she understands just how important the relationship is and we know our connection to Samoa and the Pacific is one that continues to grow and strengthen itself,” she says.
Nanaia Mahuta describe the talks she and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern held with Ms Mata’afe earlier in the week as warm.