WELLINGTON/CANBERRA, 26 JULY 2021 (TALAMUA ONLINE) —New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has congratulated Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa after the Court of Appeal validated her government’s swearing-in under a tent outside Parliament, in a historic decision delivered late Friday.
“It was such a pleasure to speak this morning with Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and congratulate her on behalf of New Zealand on her election victory,” said Ardern in her social page.
“This is such a historic moment for Samoa’s democracy.
“New Zealand has a special relationship with Samoa based on our history and our Treaty of Friendship, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work together on the challenges we’re both facing. Our warm congratulations again!”
Mata’afa’s election as Prime Minister and leading the FAST Party government, has ended the Human Rights Protection Party’s 36-year rule, led by long serving Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi for 22 years.
Across the Tasman, the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison was the first to offer his congratulations.
In a statement released late Friday, following the Court’s decision to validate the 24 May 2021 swearing-in of the 26 Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) MPs, Morrison acknowledged the Court’s decision and is looking forward to working with Samoa’s new government.
“Australia congratulates incoming Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and looks forward to working closely with her government to strengthen our longstanding partnership,” said Morrison.
“We commend the institutions of the Samoan Government and the Samoan people for their patience and for allowing the democratic, constitutional and legal processes to take their proper course.
“Following this final decision of the Court of Appeal it is important that all parties in Samoa respect the rule of law and the democratic process and comply with the directions of the Court.
“We look forward to all Samoa’s elected members participating actively in the new Parliament,” said Morrison….PACNEWS