Obituaries — His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II

on behalf of the Prime Minister: I move, That this House notes with sadness the death of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, that it extends its condolences to his family and the people of Samoa at this time, and looks forward to continuing good relations with Samoa.

His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili was elected to the Malietoa title in 1940, and has been one of Samoa’s four tama-a-aiga—paramount chiefs—since that time. His career of service to his people began in 1940 as one of the two fautua—leading high chiefs—who served as the official Samoan advisers to the successive New Zealand administrators, and then as a member of the pre-independence Council of State in 1949. He played a leading role in guiding his country to independence in 1962, and on independence he assumed the office of head of State jointly with Tupua Tamasese Mea’ola. On the death of Tupua Tamasese in 1963, Malietoa Tanumafili became the sole head of State for life.

Throughout his long reign as head of State, His Highness represented Samoa with wisdom, humour, and insight. He defined his post through gracious dignity and sincere warmth of character. He was a man of great humility and a nationalist. He was immensely proud of his country, but an intelligent leader and well aware of the need to offer a guiding hand rather than an oppressive one. He was regarded as the traditional father of both Samoas—not only independent Samoa but also the United States territory of American Samoa. He was regarded throughout the region as an excellent role model and an outstanding leader. Malietoa Tanumafili II was deeply respected throughout his life for the great service he carried out for his people in Samoa. He will be greatly missed—not only within Samoa but here in New Zealand and in the wider Pacific region. E ua malie toa! E ua malie tau!