Samoa

Manusina to face Black Ferns development side ahead of new competition

The Manusina are set to face-off against the Black Ferns XV in Auckland next month as they prepare for the start of World Rugby's much anticipated ew women's 15s rugby competition - WXV - in October.

The Samoa Rugby Union said the fixture versus the New Zealand development team would be "a unique opportunity" for supporters of rugby "to witness the relentless determination and skill that define the women's rugby landscape".

Man removed from Air NZ flight to Samoa after 'security risk'

The incident occurred shortly after passengers bordered NZ990 from Auckland to Apia.

An Air NZ spokesperson said the passenger was “offloaded” and “all checked bags, carry-on bags, and passengers were re-screened".

Aviation security also had to check the aircraft.

The commotion resulted in the flight being delayed by around four hours.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this caused our passengers. We take all security incidents seriously,” the airline said.

Police said it had been reported a threatening comment had been made by a passenger.

Samoa’s Faleolo set for an upgrade

Government-owned Savali Newspaper reports an estimated 3000 or more overseas delegates and media personnel are expected to attend, including King Charles the Third.

One of the major investments from the the Samoa Airport Authority is the construction of a new VIP Lounge.

Chief executive Silimanai Ueta. Jr Solomona said construction should be completed by August 2024 and will cost the Authority $6 million tala.

2023 World Paddling Distance Championships currently underway in Samoa

It was officially opened last Saturday with the Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa, welcoming participants from 27 visiting countries.

Competition starts on Monday with the final rounds on Friday.

     

41-year-old man killed by a shark in Samoa

As first reported by Radio Polynesia, the dead risso dolphin was first seen in Asaga and then floated to Lano.

Witnesses reported the dolphin was leaving a trail of blood and the man was attacked by several sharks.

He was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

     

Samoa’s next parliament sitting deferred

In a public notice released on Tuesday, the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, said the sitting scheduled for August 22 has now been deferred until 24 October.

The notice said the order is made under Article 52 of the Constitution and Standing Order 170(2)(g)(ii).

RNZ Pacific Samoa correspondent said no further information was given in the notice as to why it has been deferred.

2023 Va'a Federation World Distance Championship aims to be plastic free

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has partnered with Samoa's government and the Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association (SOCA) to make this happen.

Businesses and vendors contracted for the regatta have to comply with the event's plastic-free objective, and to use only eco-friendly take-away food and beverage containers.

SPREP through the Australian government funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project, will provide $US24,000 in funding support to SOCA in making the regatta single-use plastic free.

Fiji Samoa strengthen ties

These are the sentiments of Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Lesikimacuata Korovavala as he received an introductory call from Samoan High Commissioner to Fiji Aliioaiga Elisaia.

Korovavala says the meeting highlights the enduring and multifaceted relationship that Fiji shares with Samoa, based on trust and respect, genuine friendship and bonded by a shared history, cultural and economic relations.

The Samoan High Commissioner says Fiji and Samoa are brothers and sisters with shared people-to-people ties where the Pacific Ocean connects us.

Samoa reviewing RSE scheme to protect its own economy

Va'atu'itu'i Apete Meredith said it was necessary for Samoa to ensure sending seasonal workers to New Zealand and Australia did not become an obstacle to its own economic development.

"Samoa has to take a reality check of how this scheme has been so successful that we need more equity or equitable distribution of the benefits," Va'atu'itu'i said at the RSE conference in Christchurch held this week.

In January this year, the Samoan government temporarily halted sending seasonal workers to New Zealand and Australia to the disappointment of both workers and growers.

Samoa’s NZ permanent residence registration quota increases

Immigration New Zealand says the increase will make up for the unused places when the Samoa quota was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to covid.

It says those unused places will be reallocated across over the years 2022-2025 with an additional 550 places available each year.

The new policy is in effect during the 2023 quota draw, which is now opened for registration until August 31.