Samoa

The conference aims to gather inputs from this high political forum on the importance of oceans and the drive to preserve marine life and ocean's resources for future generations.

Issues expected to be discussed include identifying ways and means to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 and building on existing successful partnerships and stimulate innovative and concrete new partnerships to advance the implementation of Goal 14.

Students and community members argued for and against on whether the Samoan language has any use in today's globalised world.

RNZI reports some spoke about how the increased use of cell phones and social sites like Facebook influence the language, while others talked about the fact the language is what connects people to their culture.

AUT Professor of Pacific Studies, Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, said that it is not so well understood that technology impacts on the quality of family life.

The Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, said the taxes would be effective in the new financial year, starting next month.

The tax plan is opposed by the two main churches, the Methodist and the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.

Tialavea said church ministers receiving less than $US7,500 in love offerings, or alofa, from church members would not be paying tax.

He made it clear that the proposal was openly discussed with representatives of various church organisations but the ministry had the final say.

The Blues region is home to about 150,000 Samoans while the team itself has a number of players with Samoan heritage, as well as head coach Tana Umaga.

"We've seen the amount of Samoan players that are playing overseas and it's good to take something back to the islands," he said.

"We saw it with obviously other teams going to Fiji and now it's Samoa's time. It will showcase what they can do and how they can cater for these big games, which is a positive," said Tana Umaga.

The family of Blues and All Black lock Patrick Tuipolotu emigrated to New Zealand from Samoa.

The airline chief executive, Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter, said they would fly to Tonga four times a week, twice from Fagalii on Upolu and twice from Pago Pago.

RNZI reports the airline, which only launched its service last year, was originally planning to fly to Vava'u in Tonga's north, but Toleafoa said they intend to focus on Tongatapu initially.

Toleafoa said ensuring there was a reliable fuel supply at Vavau was also an issue.

The minister was speaking in Parliament on Wednesday during the presentation of the new Budget.

He said the government's financial priority would continue to be in education and health.

19.3 percent of the budget goes to education and 17.3 percent to health.

Sili said the government was to ease the tax burden on lower paid workers by lifting the tax free threshold so that nearly 15,000 workers would not have to pay income tax.

It's the second year the Pacific nation has not held the celebration at Tiafau, the traditional grounds or malae, because of the construction work being done on the new Parliament house.

The head of state, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, in his independence address, called for the country to work together with the government to build a strong economy.

Here is the Independence Day Speech by Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi Efi.

It was the custom of our forbears that when a special moment was forthcoming, they would revert to modes of prayer, fasting and dream dialogues for insight.

I want to share with you the insights and perspectives gained through my prayers, fasting and dream dialogues in preparation for today.

Today is Independence Day. Today we have come together to remember our forbears who fought so hard to reclaim our Independence.

He spoke of the uncertainty he felt when approached by development academic Dr Peter Swain, who suggested he help the prime minister write a memoir of his leadership experience.

"Memoirs are usually written at a time when most of the characters involved are either dead or have lost their memory. As you will find out many of the characters in the book are still very much alive, very active and still kicking," he said.

Tu'ilaepa told the crowd he would publish a sequel to Palemia when he retires - in 30 years time.

The government in its budget for the 2017/18 financial year announced that it is raising the tax free threshold from $12,000 to $15,000.  

Finance Minister Sili Epa Tuioti told Parliament yesterday that it would mean 14,199 workers in formal employment would not be required to pay income tax.

Salary levels between $15,001 and $25,000 will be taxed at 20 percent and over $27,000 at 27 percent.

Minister Sili Epa said businesses that export goods and services (excluding re-exports) get a tax deduction equal to 50 percent of the profits made on those exports.