Samoans in New Zealand welcome Tupua Tamasese as Head of State
Tuesday 19 June 2007, 10:09AM
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The appointment of a former Prime Minister as Samoa's new head of state has been welcomed by Samoans in New Zealand.
Congratulations have poured in for Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Efi, who was Prime Minister between 1976 and 1982.
Asenati Lole Taylor, the chair of the Auckland Pacific Islands Advisory Board, says Tupua Tmasese was the clear successor to Malietoa Tanumafili Le Lua but admits it'll be an interesting reign.
Manukau City Councillor, Sua William Sio, has also hailed the appointment and says Tupua got the support of Opposition MPs, so he obviously has the mana to keep the nation tight and reach both the older and younger generations of Samoa.
But while the new head of state has been named without any hiccups, who inherits Malietoa's paramount title remains uncertain.
The Vainu'upo clan last week went ahead with its plans for a saofa'i in Malie to bestow the title on Papalii'i Fa'amausili Moli, the son of Malietoa, despite the objections of two other claimants.
The dispute will now head to court.
Congratulations have poured in for Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Efi, who was Prime Minister between 1976 and 1982.
Asenati Lole Taylor, the chair of the Auckland Pacific Islands Advisory Board, says Tupua Tmasese was the clear successor to Malietoa Tanumafili Le Lua but admits it'll be an interesting reign.
Manukau City Councillor, Sua William Sio, has also hailed the appointment and says Tupua got the support of Opposition MPs, so he obviously has the mana to keep the nation tight and reach both the older and younger generations of Samoa.
But while the new head of state has been named without any hiccups, who inherits Malietoa's paramount title remains uncertain.
The Vainu'upo clan last week went ahead with its plans for a saofa'i in Malie to bestow the title on Papalii'i Fa'amausili Moli, the son of Malietoa, despite the objections of two other claimants.
The dispute will now head to court.