Samoa

The official celebration is due on 23 July.

However, St. Mary’s Primary at Savalalo has kicked off the grand event with an array of Samoan traditional dances, songs and dramas to commemorate one of the most influential societies in the world.

“The Marist family has grown over the years in the world and for Samoa, one of its greatest achievements is the many schools scattered out in the two islands,” said Sr. Masela Tenisio one of the senior members of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary.

RNZI reports the Minister of Police Sala Fata Pinati has been given the portfolios of Tourism and Public Trust while his Prisons portfolio has been transferred to the Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt.

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell on the other hand has lost the Tourism portfolio but maintained the portfolio of Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour.

In his announcement of the reshuffle on Wednesday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa did not give any explanation for making the changes.

The agreements will see the TFP provide up to $12 million annually to support trade activity in Samoa.

 “It’s the first agreement of its type and I’m congratulating Samoa for taking the lead with this project and facilitating the development and the finalization of the agreement,” said Minister of Finance Sili Epa.

Team Samoa was named today with two of its players from Savai’i and four from Australia and New Zealand.

However, things have not been so smooth for FFS with their preparations for the big tournament.

Development officer Martin Tamasese says the team has been struggling to get a solid good day at practice.

“Usually, we’d have a good two to three hours with the boys, but that was when school ended at two in the afternoon. Now it ends at four, and we barely have good daylight time to work on our combos, our fitness, and basically a good team bonding,” he said.

But for the four nations taking part in next month’s OFC U-17 Championship Preliminary tickets to Tahiti represents the welcome result of some hard graft.

American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga will all compete for the sole berth remaining at the OFC U-17 Championship and the rivalry is expected to be fierce.

Tonga captain Hemaloto Polovili marked his return from a one match suspension with a well taken low drive from the edge of the box to give his side the lead inside 10 minutes.

The skipper grabbed his second half 30 minutes later as the hosts raced two a 2-0 first half lead.

Samoa did manage to regroup to come out with intent after the break.

Their never-say-die attitude paid dividends in 66th minute when Pago Tunupopo pulled a goal back by netting from close range.

Rasmussen, originally from Samoa, will transition to Pago Pago to take up the role over the next month from her current role of Chief Operating Officer ANZ Samoa based in Apia. She replaces Sean Stratton who was acting in the role since November last year.              

CEO for ANZ Samoa, Mathew Fisher, said he was thrilled to see a local Samoan being appointed to a senior Pacific leadership role.

RNZI reports Huanan supplies to Asian markets and has been looking at consolidating itself in Samoa by pushing for a fish processing plant.

The Government has not confirmed any deal on the plant, but the company has been eyeing the Satitoa wharf at Aleipata, on the south coast of Upolu, as a possible location for a cannery.

Figures from January to March 2016 show a 12.1% overall increase in visitor arrivals across all market streams compared to the same period in 2015. There were 30,049 visitor arrivals, with New Zealand and the USA performing strongly with increases of 31% and 50% respectively.

RNZI reports Paul Ualesi's men thrashed American Samoa 5-0 earlier this week to record their first win at this level for 14 years and put themselves top of the competition standings.

Another three points against Cook Islands would give them an unassailable lead if Tonga and American Samoa play out a draw in today's other clash.