Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi celebrated Waitangi Day in New Zealand yesterday.

He joined New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other dignitaries at the Whare Rūnanga in the Bay of Islands for the dawn service marking the 179th anniversary of the signing of the treaty.

The local celebration of Waitangi was held at Letava last night where Acting Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa spoke. 

In New Zealand, Tuilaepa is leading a delegation from Samoa for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Ardern and other New Zealand government officials.

Samoa’s delegation includes the Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, CEO of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, CEO of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peseta Noumea and the CEO of the Ministry of Finance, Oscar Malielegaoi. Samoa’s High Commissioner in New Zealand,

Samoa’s High Commissioner in NZ, Leasi Papalii Tommy Scanlan, is also a member of the delegation. 

Issues on the table for discussion include scholarships, work opportunities, RSE and aid.