CoveragePost
November 20, 2025
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders has called on the Samoan Prime Minister to lift the ban preventing the daily newspaper Samoa Observer from attending government press conferences. “The measure is totally unacceptable — it comes after one of its journalists filed a complaint over violence committed by the ... <a title="RSF calls on Samoan PM to lift ‘unacceptable’ ban on Samoa Observer" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/11/20/rsf-calls-on-samoan-pm-to-lift-unacceptable-ban-on-samoa-observer/" aria-label="Read more about RSF calls on Samoan PM to lift ‘unacceptable’ ban on Samoa Observer">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 25, 2025
COMMENTARY: By Asofou So’o Although seven political parties have officially registered to contest Samoa’s general election this Friday, three have been politically visible through their campaign activities and are likely to share among them the biggest slice of the Parliament’s 51 seats. The question on everyone’s lips is: which one of them will win enough ... <a title="Gearing up for the 2025 Samoan general election – three-way split?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/25/gearing-up-for-the-2025-samoan-general-election-three-way-split/" aria-label="Read more about Gearing up for the 2025 Samoan general election – three-way split?">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 3, 2025
RNZ Pacific Samoa’s Parliament has been formally dissolved, and an early election is set to take place within three months. After months of political instability and two motions of no confidence, Prime Minister Fiāme Naomi Mata’afa said she would call for the dissolution of Parliament if cabinet did not support her government’s budget. MPs from ... <a title="Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/03/samoa-parliament-formally-dissolved-after-months-of-uncertainty/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 29, 2025
By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist Its official. Samoa’s Parliament will be dissolved next week and the country will have an early return to the polls. The confirmation comes after a dramatic day in Parliament on Tuesday, which saw the government’s budget voted down at its first reading. In a live address today, Prime Minister ... <a title="Samoa parliament to be dissolved in June, election date to come" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/29/samoa-parliament-to-be-dissolved-in-june-election-date-to-come/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa parliament to be dissolved in June, election date to come">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 28, 2025
RNZ Pacific Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has advised Samoa’s head of state that it is necessary to dissolve Parliament so the country can move to an election. This follows the bill for the budget not getting enough support for a first reading on yesterday, and Fiame announcing she would therefore seek an early election. ... <a title="Samoan PM Fiamē advises dissolution of parliament, calls for snap elections" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/28/samoan-pm-fiame-advises-dissolution-of-parliament-calls-for-snap-elections/" aria-label="Read more about Samoan PM Fiamē advises dissolution of parliament, calls for snap elections">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 22, 2025
SPECIAL REPORT: By Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson and Lilomaiava Maina Vai The Speaker of the House, Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau, decisively addressed a letter from FAST, which informed him of the removal of Fiame along with Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio, Leatinu’u Wayne Fong, Olo Fiti Vaai, Faualo Harry Schuster, and Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster from ... <a title="Samoa political update: Fiame prevails in leadership crisis" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/22/samoa-political-update-fiame-prevails-in-leadership-crisis/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa political update: Fiame prevails in leadership crisis">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 19, 2025
RNZ Pacific Samoa’s prime minister and the five other ousted members of the ruling FAST Party are reportedly challenging their removal. FAST chair La’auli Leuatea Schmidt on Wednesday announced the removal of the prime minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party. Twenty party members signed for the removal of Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and ... <a title="Samoan political saga: Challenge to FAST party by ‘ousted’ MPs reported" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/19/samoan-political-saga-challenge-to-fast-party-by-ousted-mps-reported/" aria-label="Read more about Samoan political saga: Challenge to FAST party by ‘ousted’ MPs reported">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 19, 2025
There should be only one reason why people enter politics. It is for the good of the nation and the people who voted them in. It is to be their voice at the national level where the country’s future is decided. The recent developments within the Samoan government are a stark reminder that people have ... <a title="Samoa Observer: For the people or for themselves?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/19/samoa-observer-for-the-people-or-for-themselves/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa Observer: For the people or for themselves?">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 18, 2025
COMMENTARY: By Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson and Junior S. Ami With just over a year left in her tenure as Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa faces a political upheaval threatening a peaceful end to her term. Ironically, the rule of law — the very principle that elevated her to power — has now become ... <a title="Samoa’s political future hangs in balance with Fiame leadership challenge" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/18/samoas-political-future-hangs-in-balance-with-fiame-leadership-challenge/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa’s political future hangs in balance with Fiame leadership challenge">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
October 29, 2024
COMMENTARY: By Tess Newton Cain As CHOGM came to a close, Samoa rightfully basked in the resounding success for the country and people as hosts of the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting. Footage of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa swaying along to the siva dance as she sat beside Britain’s King Charles III encapsulated a palpable national ... <a title="‘Climate’ CHOGM success for Samoa but what’s in it for the Pacific?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/10/29/climate-chogm-success-for-samoa-but-whats-in-it-for-the-pacific/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Climate’ CHOGM success for Samoa but what’s in it for the Pacific?">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 21, 2023
By Pita Ligaiula of Pacnews Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa says the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) is focused on how they will approach the next seven years to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Addressing the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York on behalf ... <a title="Samoa PM calls on world leaders to ‘leave nationalism behind’ to achieve UN sustainability goals" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/21/samoa-pm-calls-on-world-leaders-to-leave-nationalism-behind-to-achieve-un-sustainability-goals/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa PM calls on world leaders to ‘leave nationalism behind’ to achieve UN sustainability goals">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 9, 2023
RNZ Pacific Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has urged her fellow Pacific leaders to stop paying lip service to regionalism and walk the talk when making collective decisions. Fiame made the remarks last night as she welcomed the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna, to Apia. Fiame said Samoa strongly believed in ... <a title="Pacific unity crucial in ‘crowded geopolitical landscape’, says Fiame" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/06/09/pacific-unity-crucial-in-crowded-geopolitical-landscape-says-fiame/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific unity crucial in ‘crowded geopolitical landscape’, says Fiame">Read more</a>
