Kiwi Samoans say poll provided good shake-up

Samoans living in New Zealand say it is a thrilling time for their homeland amid some major election twists and turns, with court challenges and a recent election declaration by the Pacific Island nation’s head of state.¯

Ma¯ ngere-Otahuhu local board member and lawyer Harry Fatu Toleafoa said it was an exciting time to be a Samoan as the election fiasco had provided the muchneeded shake-up Samoa’s politics needed.

After a month-long stalemate between the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa Ua Tasi (FAST) following the April 9 elections, head of state Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II declared the results void and called for a second election on May 21.

This was despite a case by FAST already before the Supreme Court, challenging the 52nd seat which was activated by the office of the Electoral Commission.

Toleafoa said the nation had come alive in its engagement with politics, at a level that had never been seen before.

‘‘Before where some people were precluded from expressing their full opinions, today we see a huge shift, both locally and abroad,’’ he said.

‘‘It has truly changed the political aspect, a pivotal moment in Samoa’s political history, and what it has done is enabled every Samoan, young and old, to have their own discussions and question policies and even loyalties that were commonly held in previous elections.’’

Wellington resident Marie Johnson wants to see change and a new political party to rule Samoa after 40 years.

Johnson could not vote this election because she was not eligible to, just like Rotorua resident Lani Parker, as well as Lillian Matai and Fetu Mose in South Auckland.

Electoral law requires voters to be in Samoa for six months prior to an election.

There are close to 500,000 Samoans living in New Zealand, while just 200,000 live in Samoa.

‘‘I would have voted for FAST, it is about time the old guard moved out and let a new administration rule,’’ Johnson said.

‘‘We need a new, strong and female leader and this unnecessary controversy is just the old administration refusing to accept defeat.’’

Mose and Parker both feel the decision by the head of state was drastic, and are questioning its legality.

‘‘It is a sad affair back home but hopefully it gets resolved soon and Samoans can move on with their lives,’’ Mose said.

Matai said she wondered how much more a second election would cost as the country and its tourism industry suffers from border closures.

‘‘I really wish these politicians can get their act together because everyday people are suffering in this pandemic.’’

According to the Samoan Observer, the Supreme Court will continue to hear the challenge by the FAST Party over the controversial additional seat. It has ruled against the attorney-general’s motion to throw the case out.

The court will deliver its decision on May 17.

A separate legal action from FAST, questioning the lawfulness of the head of state’s declaration to annul the election results, will also be heard.

‘‘What it has done is enabled every Samoan, young and old, to have their own discussions and question policies and even loyalties that were commonly held in previous elections.’’

Harry Fatu Toleafoa

Ma¯ngere-O¯ tahuhu local board member and lawyer