Latest news with #Fiame
Scoop
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 6 August
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including Samoa's caretaker prime minister filing a police complaint against her former party's chairman. Samoa – politics Samoa's caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has filed a police complaint against FAST Party chairman La'auli Leuatea Schmidt. It follows public claims by La'auli in Savai'i, accusing Fiame of being involved in recent deaths. Fiame said the allegations are already discredited and politically motivated and damaging. The Samoa Observer reported police have confirmed the complaint and say the case is now with the Attorney General. Fiame said she took legal action to protect the integrity of the Prime Minister's office. Bougainville – election The Bougainville Electoral Commission has launched a phone service to allow voters to confirm they are on the electoral roll. The SMS roll verification and polling place look-up service will be available until 30 August. Voting is on 4 September. This new service is in addition to the display of the Preliminary Electoral Roll in every ward throughout Bougainville. The Electoral Commissioner, Desmon Tsianai said everyone is encouraged to make use of this service. Solomon Islands – tribute The Solomon Islands parliament has paid tribute to the shortest serving prime minister, Snyder Rini. Local media reported prime minister Jeremiah Manele announced the death of the 77-year-old in Parliment on Tuesday. He was elected into parliament in 1997. In April 2006, he was elected as prime minister. Prime Minister Jeremaiah Manele said despite the challenge he faced, he worked hard to seek peace and stability in the country. Guam – broadcaster After almost 60 years Guam's Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is shutting up shop. Local media reported it's set to wind down operations after the US Congress cut some US$1.1 billion in funding that had been earmarked for the next two years. CPB president and CEO Patricia Harrison said despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, they are closing operations. President Donald Trump and Republican supporters have argued against continuing to fund public broadcasting, charging that its news coverage maintains an anti-right bias. CPB is a private, non-profit corporation authorized by Guam's Congress in 1967. New Zealand/Fiji – car crash Auckland's Fijian Indian community has been mourning the loss of a man killed in a car crash near Auckland Airport last week. 1News reported the man was 45-year-old Arvind Kumar. His wife was injured in the crash. Kumar had migrated to New Zealand from Fiji just over two years ago. A small service was held at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital before Kumar's body was flown back to Fiji. His wife was able to attend despite being bedridden. More than 600 people attended his funeral service in Fiji.
Scoop
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 6 August
Samoa - politics Samoa's caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has filed a police complaint against FAST Party chairman La'auli Leuatea Schmidt. It follows public claims by La'auli in Savai'i, accusing Fiame of being involved in recent deaths. Fiame said the allegations are already discredited and politically motivated and damaging. The Samoa Observer reported police have confirmed the complaint and say the case is now with the Attorney General. Fiame said she took legal action to protect the integrity of the Prime Minister's office. Bougainville - election The Bougainville Electoral Commission has launched a phone service to allow voters to confirm they are on the electoral roll. The SMS roll verification and polling place look-up service will be available until 30 August. Voting is on 4 September. This new service is in addition to the display of the Preliminary Electoral Roll in every ward throughout Bougainville. The Electoral Commissioner, Desmon Tsianai said everyone is encouraged to make use of this service. Solomon Islands - tribute The Solomon Islands parliament has paid tribute to the shortest serving prime minister, Snyder Rini. Local media reported prime minister Jeremiah Manele announced the death of the 77-year-old in Parliment on Tuesday. He was elected into parliament in 1997. In April 2006, he was elected as prime minister. Prime Minister Jeremaiah Manele said despite the challenge he faced, he worked hard to seek peace and stability in the country. Guam - broadcaster After almost 60 years Guam's Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is shutting up shop. Local media reported it's set to wind down operations after the US Congress cut some US$1.1 billion in funding that had been earmarked for the next two years. CPB president and CEO Patricia Harrison said despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, they are closing operations. President Donald Trump and Republican supporters have argued against continuing to fund public broadcasting, charging that its news coverage maintains an anti-right bias. CPB is a private, non-profit corporation authorized by Guam's Congress in 1967. New Zealand/Fiji - car crash Auckland's Fijian Indian community has been mourning the loss of a man killed in a car crash near Auckland Airport last week. 1News reported the man was 45-year-old Arvind Kumar. His wife was injured in the crash. Kumar had migrated to New Zealand from Fiji just over two years ago. A small service was held at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital before Kumar's body was flown back to Fiji. His wife was able to attend despite being bedridden. More than 600 people attended his funeral service in Fiji.
The Advertiser
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Date set for snap election in Samoa
Samoa's election will take place on August 29, when the south Pacific nation will head to the polls in an intriguing contest. The election is taking place a year earlier than expected, following the collapse of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's government. When elected in 2021, Fiame ended four decades of rule by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), and the 23-year prime ministership of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. She also became Samoa's first woman prime minister. She is currently just one of two female heads of government in the Pacific. However, the 68-year-old struck trouble earlier this year when she sacked her FAST party chairman from cabinet for a slew of criminal cases. That act split her party in two, with Fiame remaining in government with loyalists to her leadership, while others left the government under the FAST banner. She survived two no-confidence votes but the FAST and HRPP combined their votes to sink Fiame's budget last month, precipitating the early election. That decision will mean the contest is likely to be a three-cornered tussle, between Tuila'epa's HRPP, Fiame's newly formed Samoa Uniting Party, and the FAST, under sacked minister La'auli Leuatea Polataivao. In another quirk of Samoan politics, both Fiame and La'auli are both former HRPP, with Fiame serving as Tuila'epa's deputy prime minister from 2016-2020. Other parties will contest the poll, including the Samoa National Democratic Party, Democracy Republic Party and the newly registered Samoa Labor Party. The snap poll caused a rush among voters to update their registration and have their say. Enrolment jumped from 52 per cent of the eligible population a fortnight ago to 59 per cent, according to the Samoa Observer. The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II, formally announced the election date on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to allow more time for preparations. Samoa's election will take place on August 29, when the south Pacific nation will head to the polls in an intriguing contest. The election is taking place a year earlier than expected, following the collapse of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's government. When elected in 2021, Fiame ended four decades of rule by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), and the 23-year prime ministership of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. She also became Samoa's first woman prime minister. She is currently just one of two female heads of government in the Pacific. However, the 68-year-old struck trouble earlier this year when she sacked her FAST party chairman from cabinet for a slew of criminal cases. That act split her party in two, with Fiame remaining in government with loyalists to her leadership, while others left the government under the FAST banner. She survived two no-confidence votes but the FAST and HRPP combined their votes to sink Fiame's budget last month, precipitating the early election. That decision will mean the contest is likely to be a three-cornered tussle, between Tuila'epa's HRPP, Fiame's newly formed Samoa Uniting Party, and the FAST, under sacked minister La'auli Leuatea Polataivao. In another quirk of Samoan politics, both Fiame and La'auli are both former HRPP, with Fiame serving as Tuila'epa's deputy prime minister from 2016-2020. Other parties will contest the poll, including the Samoa National Democratic Party, Democracy Republic Party and the newly registered Samoa Labor Party. The snap poll caused a rush among voters to update their registration and have their say. Enrolment jumped from 52 per cent of the eligible population a fortnight ago to 59 per cent, according to the Samoa Observer. The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II, formally announced the election date on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to allow more time for preparations. Samoa's election will take place on August 29, when the south Pacific nation will head to the polls in an intriguing contest. The election is taking place a year earlier than expected, following the collapse of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's government. When elected in 2021, Fiame ended four decades of rule by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), and the 23-year prime ministership of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. She also became Samoa's first woman prime minister. She is currently just one of two female heads of government in the Pacific. However, the 68-year-old struck trouble earlier this year when she sacked her FAST party chairman from cabinet for a slew of criminal cases. That act split her party in two, with Fiame remaining in government with loyalists to her leadership, while others left the government under the FAST banner. She survived two no-confidence votes but the FAST and HRPP combined their votes to sink Fiame's budget last month, precipitating the early election. That decision will mean the contest is likely to be a three-cornered tussle, between Tuila'epa's HRPP, Fiame's newly formed Samoa Uniting Party, and the FAST, under sacked minister La'auli Leuatea Polataivao. In another quirk of Samoan politics, both Fiame and La'auli are both former HRPP, with Fiame serving as Tuila'epa's deputy prime minister from 2016-2020. Other parties will contest the poll, including the Samoa National Democratic Party, Democracy Republic Party and the newly registered Samoa Labor Party. The snap poll caused a rush among voters to update their registration and have their say. Enrolment jumped from 52 per cent of the eligible population a fortnight ago to 59 per cent, according to the Samoa Observer. The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II, formally announced the election date on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to allow more time for preparations. Samoa's election will take place on August 29, when the south Pacific nation will head to the polls in an intriguing contest. The election is taking place a year earlier than expected, following the collapse of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's government. When elected in 2021, Fiame ended four decades of rule by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), and the 23-year prime ministership of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. She also became Samoa's first woman prime minister. She is currently just one of two female heads of government in the Pacific. However, the 68-year-old struck trouble earlier this year when she sacked her FAST party chairman from cabinet for a slew of criminal cases. That act split her party in two, with Fiame remaining in government with loyalists to her leadership, while others left the government under the FAST banner. She survived two no-confidence votes but the FAST and HRPP combined their votes to sink Fiame's budget last month, precipitating the early election. That decision will mean the contest is likely to be a three-cornered tussle, between Tuila'epa's HRPP, Fiame's newly formed Samoa Uniting Party, and the FAST, under sacked minister La'auli Leuatea Polataivao. In another quirk of Samoan politics, both Fiame and La'auli are both former HRPP, with Fiame serving as Tuila'epa's deputy prime minister from 2016-2020. Other parties will contest the poll, including the Samoa National Democratic Party, Democracy Republic Party and the newly registered Samoa Labor Party. The snap poll caused a rush among voters to update their registration and have their say. Enrolment jumped from 52 per cent of the eligible population a fortnight ago to 59 per cent, according to the Samoa Observer. The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II, formally announced the election date on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to allow more time for preparations.
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Date set for snap election in Samoa
Samoa's election will take place on August 29, when the south Pacific nation will head to the polls in an intriguing contest. The election is taking place a year earlier than expected, following the collapse of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's government. When elected in 2021, Fiame ended four decades of rule by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), and the 23-year prime ministership of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. She also became Samoa's first woman prime minister. She is currently just one of two female heads of government in the Pacific. However, the 68-year-old struck trouble earlier this year when she sacked her FAST party chairman from cabinet for a slew of criminal cases. That act split her party in two, with Fiame remaining in government with loyalists to her leadership, while others left the government under the FAST banner. She survived two no-confidence votes but the FAST and HRPP combined their votes to sink Fiame's budget last month, precipitating the early election. That decision will mean the contest is likely to be a three-cornered tussle, between Tuila'epa's HRPP, Fiame's newly formed Samoa Uniting Party, and the FAST, under sacked minister La'auli Leuatea Polataivao. In another quirk of Samoan politics, both Fiame and La'auli are both former HRPP, with Fiame serving as Tuila'epa's deputy prime minister from 2016-2020. Other parties will contest the poll, including the Samoa National Democratic Party, Democracy Republic Party and the newly registered Samoa Labor Party. The snap poll caused a rush among voters to update their registration and have their say. Enrolment jumped from 52 per cent of the eligible population a fortnight ago to 59 per cent, according to the Samoa Observer. The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II, formally announced the election date on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to allow more time for preparations.
Scoop
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Explainer: The Saga Of Samoa's State Affairs And What Comes Next
Article – RNZ The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence., RNZ Pacific Journalist The year 2025 was only days old when Samoa's political system hit turbulence. Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa removed La'auli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the second week of January. A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister. La'auli faced several criminal charges, and speculation raged in Samoa and on social media, prompting the police commissioner to clarify the charges against him. Fiame removed several more ministers before La'auli – still the chairman of FAST – turned around and sacked the prime minister from her own party. The Samoan diaspora in New Zealand expressed their concerns, holding a prayer gathering in Auckland earlier this year. Fiame faced two votes of no confidence, her first on 25 February and her second on 6 March. But last month she conceded defeat after her government's budget was voted down. MPs from both the opposition Human Rights Protection Party and Fiame's former FAST party joined forces to defeat the budget with the final vote coming in 34 against, 16 in support and 2 abstentions. Who is involved Prime Minister Fiame led a faction of 15 MPs, including notable figures like now-former deputy prime minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio. The other FAST party faction is led by La'auli, while long-serving opposition leader and former prime minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, heads the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). In 2021, La'auli stepped aside to allow Fiame to lead the FAST party during the elections. Both FAST and HRPP ended with 25 candidates each, which prompted independent MP Ponifasio to become a pivotal figure by aligning with FAST, resulting in Fiame becoming Samoa's first female prime minister. What happens next Samoa's Parliament was formally dissolved on 3 June and the country is heading to an early election. Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Stanley had sought an additional six weeks to aide in preparations but this was declined by the Supreme Court on 5 June. RNZ Pacific correspondent Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia attended the hearing. Chief justice Satiu Simativa Perese said there was a big gap in the constitution that conflicts with the Electoral Act, and his advice was for the next government to look at this. The Electoral Commissioner informed local media after the court hearing, in the presence of Galumalemana, that the election date is set for 29 August. He indicated that the electoral roll will close at the end of June. The head of state will provide official confirmation next Tuesday with a formal writ detailing the election date and the deadline for closing the election roll.
