PM Christopher Luxon stands with wife Amanda Luxon (left), Samoa PM La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt (centre right) and his wife Tupea Heather Schmidt, during a traditional ava ceremony to formalise the bestowal of Luxon's matai title. Photo / Julia Gabel
PM Christopher Luxon stands with wife Amanda Luxon (left), Samoa PM La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt (centre right) and his wife Tupea Heather Schmidt, during a traditional ava ceremony to formalise the bestowal of Luxon's matai title. Photo / Julia Gabel
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s relationship with Samoa’s new leader will be put on display today after the Samoan Government was forced to clear up confusion over whether Luxon personally requested a prestigious matai title.
Luxon and Samoa PM La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt, gathered for a Guard of Honour and a traditional kava ceremony at Apia’s central Government building.
This visit marks New Zealand’s first official engagement with the new Samoan Government, elected in September, and Luxon is the first foreign leader to participate in a traditional ava ceremony with La’aulialemalietoa.
PM Christopher Luxon takes part in traditional ava ceremony to formalise the bestowal of his matai title. Photo / Julia Gabel
Police Minister Mark Mitchell also reiterated New Zealand and Samoa’s familial ties before accepting a cup of kava.
Paramount chiefs from local villages attended the event where Luxon was bestowed with the title, Tuisinavemaulumotootua, which refers to Luxon as the head or king (“tui”) of two sacred meeting grounds in Apia.
Christopher Luxon, with wife Amanda, in traditional Samoan attire ahead of matai title bestowal and a traditional ava ceremony. Photo / Julia Gabel
Hundreds of locals from nearby villages and other parts of Apia travelled to the city centre for the ceremony.
A few days ago, local media reported on an interview where Samoa’s PM said words to the effect that Luxon had requested, via the New Zealand High Commissioner, a matai title.
These statements in local media also included references to New Zealand’s visa requirements for Pacific travellers.
Claims that Luxon asked for his own matai title were swiftly denied by the PM’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A couple of hours before Luxon’s matai ceremony this morning, the Government of Samoa released a statement also denying the claims.
It said La’aulialemalietoa would “like to confirm that neither the New Zealand Prime Minister nor any of his representatives requested that a matai title be bestowed on Christopher Luxon during his visit to Samoa”.
The Government said it was always the intention to “extend this honour to Prime Minister Luxon”.
“Furthermore, the Hon. La’aulialemalietoa confirms that it was never intended that the bestowal of a matai title would place obligations on PM Luxon with respect to New Zealand’s Government decisions including on immigration policy.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets with Samoa's head of state, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II. Photo / Pool
New Zealand’s visa requirements for Pacific travellers are set to be a key topic. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has warmed up that conversation for Luxon and officials with last week’s announcement of a $55 reduction in visitor visa fees for Pacific travellers.
But the changes don’t go as far as some in the Pacific are asking for, with a petition, led by former National MP Arthur Anae, raising questions over why Pacific travellers don’t have the same cheaper and straightforward access to New Zealand as the more than 60 countries under the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) scheme do.
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.
