new government

In a statement, National Public Service general manager Tino Vitale said the general fono chairperson, deputy chairperson and the 28 members of the 12th Government of Tokelau have been sworn in.

He said the Ulu, on behalf of the Taupulega, or Council of Elders, tabled the council's decision on ministerial portfolios amongst council members for general fono endorsement.

The Ulu-o-Tokelau is an annual rotational role that is served by the Faipule or leader of each atoll.

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said the $US100 million ($NZ139m) project would have significantly added to the country's exposure to China which already accounts for 40 percent of its external debt.

The proposed construction in Vaiusu Bay has been a divisive issue in Samoa, playing a part in April's national election where long-serving leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi lost his parliamentary majority.

Prior to giving his blessings, the Head of State repealed his proclamation given on Sunday, 4 July 2021 where he called Parliament to convene on Monday, 2 August 2021 at 9:30am with conditions and avowed that there is no majority party

The proclamation was broadcast on TV1 on Sunday evening from his residence in Vailele.

He also acknowledged the former Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi for his service to Samoa as well as the Human Rights and Protection Party (HRPP) for hard work for the past 20 years.

Their first meeting as the new Government was conducted at the Government building’s conference room on Tuesday morning.

Prior to the meeting, PM Fiame was greeted by the Chairman of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), Agafili Shem Leo and was escorted to her new empty office.

Members of the media were invited to witness and report on the momentum moment for the new Government as well as its supporters.

Former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi had packed his belongings last week to await the new Government to move in.

Fiame and her Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party, won the April 9 election by a slim majority and were sworn in, in May at an ad hoc outdoor ceremony after being locked out by the former Government who then challenged their swearing in.

On Friday, the Samoan Court of Appeal found the swearing-in of FAST MPs on May 24 was legitimate.

The new Prime Minister has told Pacific Beat parliament will meet at the earliest opportunity to pass a temporary budget to keep the government running.

After a political impasse of over three months since Samoa's election, the Court of Appeal on Friday ruled in favour of the FAST government's validity.

The court found that the FAST administration's ad hoc swearing-in ceremony in late May complied with Samoa's constitution and was legitimate.

Fiame said the three-month political impasse had cost her government a lot of time but they've been working hard behind the scenes, with the new administration's priority now being work on the national budget.

The ruling paves the way for Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and the end of the 22-year reign of Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

The Court found that a swearing-in ceremony conducted by the party on 24 May is legally binding meaning FAST has been the new Government since then.

According to RNZ Pacific, the party founder and deputy leader La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt said the party is celebrating with prayers and a church service this evening.

This follows the opposition's defeat of prime minister Manasseh Sogavare in Monday's vote of no-confidence.

The group which successfully moved the motion of no-confidence is basing its lobbying at the Honiara hotel.

Meanwhile the rump of Mr Sogavare's former government is based at the Heritage Park Hotel.

A member of this group, the MP for Nggela Bartholomew Parapalo, said they were not out of the race.

New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters said he had spoken to the leaders of the National Party and the Labour Party today and, amongst other matters, advised them of that.

What you need to know

It's been 26 days since the election.

NZ is into the 10th day of negotiations.

On Tuesday night Mr Peters secretly met one-on-one with both Bill English and Jacinda Ardern.