Photo gallery of the funeralKEY POINTS:
A large New Zealand delegation of politicians, dignitaries and Samoan leaders turned out to farewell Samoa's head of state on Saturday in a tribute to the strength of ties between the two countries.
Governor-General Anand Satyanand and his wife, Susan, led the 60-strong delegation of official mourners from
New Zealand at the funeral of Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said it was important New Zealand was represented at the very highest level as a mark of respect.
Malietoa died on May 11, aged 95.
Helen Clark, who was accompanied by her husband, Professor Peter Davis, said it was important New Zealand had a significant presence at the funeral.
New Zealand had a relationship with Samoa unlike any other country, she said, which included a Treaty of Friendship.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Malietoa, saying his legacy was one of "45 years of credible stability" in Samoa and the Pacific.
Malietoa's successor would have "big shoes to fill but the role was well-defined", she said.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules arrived before the Governor-General and PM, carrying Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, NZ First MP Brian Donnelly, Cabinet minister Nanaia Mahuta and leaders of the Samoan community in New Zealand.
Also on board were Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis.
Sir Douglas Graham represented the Commonwealth on behalf of Secretary-General Don McKinnon.
National Party MP Murray McCully also attended, as did Independent MP Taito Phillip Field, former National MP Arthur Anae and former All Black Michael Jones.
Dignitaries from about 20 countries were at the state funeral, an interdominational service.
They included the Maori King, Tuheitia, King Siaosi Tupou V of Tonga and officials from Australia, Fiji, Tuvalu, American Samoa, Niue, Japan, China and French Polynesia.
The Governor-General and Mrs Satyanand and Helen Clark and Professor Davis laid a wreath before the funeral.
Malietoa, who chose not to be called a king, had been taken from his village in a procession to lie in state at Parliament, with people lining the streets, many throwing flowers at the coffin.
Thousands gathered in the grounds of Parliament House for the Saturday morning ceremony.
An emotional Dr Koro Wetere, a former Maori affairs minister, led the New Zealand delegation into the circular parliamentary chamber and spoke movingly to those in the room, who included members of Malietoa's family.
Dr Wetere said Malietoa left Samoa in good stead for the future.
After the NZ delegation had filed past the coffin, which was draped in the Samoan flag, Ms Mahuta, niece of the late Maori Queen, led the group in the waiata How Great Thou Art and Dr Sharples said a karakia. He said Malietoa's death was a loss to the Pacific and marked the end of an era.
Malietoa was carried out by pallbearers from the police national guard and placed on an elaborately decorated dais on the front lawn of Parliament.
The service lasted more than an hour in hot and humid weather.
Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, and Malietoa's son both gave eulogies and a 300-strong choir sang hymns during the funeral, broadcast live in New Zealand by Maori Television.
Malietoa was later laid to rest in his family's mausoleum.
- NZPA
