Celebrating 50 years of Friendship with Samoa on samoa2012.co.nz

2012 marks both the 50th anniversary of Samoa’s independence and the 50th anniversary of the unique Treaty of Friendship between New Zealand and Samoa.

To celebrate these two milestones, a full calendar year of events in Samoa and New Zealand is being planned under the banner Samoa 2012 on the website www.samoa2012.co.nz facilitated by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation.

Proposed activities include many cultural exhibitions and performances, a stamp series, a commemorative coin and the promotion of Samoan language week/ Taua le Gagana.

Pacific Co-operation Foundation CEO Meg Poutasi says; “with over 130,000 Samoans calling New Zealand home, celebrating 50 years of Samoan independence is significant to New Zealand and a wonderful opportunity to recognise the strong ties we have and the contributions the Samoan community has made within New Zealand.

“Not only does the Samoa 2012 programme allow us to celebrate the past, but we can build on what has been achieved so far and look forward to another 50 successful and prosperous years.”

Nick Hurley, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa, says both governments are planning a series of high-level visits between the two countries along with sporting events, publications, cultural exhibitions and performances. “It is the perfect moment to celebrate the contributions of Samoans to New Zealand and New Zealanders to Samoa,” he says.