Chief Tui Christopher Luxon joins other world leaders with Samoan matai titles

Tuisinavemaulumoto'otua Christopher Luxon takes part in a ceremony bestowing his matai title in Apia, Samoa, yesterday. Photo / Government of Samoa

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s new status as a Samoan matai puts him among other world leaders, including King Charles and previous New Zealand prime ministers, who have been bestowed chief titles from the island nation.

In a ceremony steeped in cultural custom and tradition, Luxon was bestowed the chiefly title of Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua – or simply “Tui” – in Apia yesterday.

Dressed in a blue island shirt, no doubt a nod to his National Party, he also had a tapa cloth wrapped around his body and a titi fulumoa (feathered waistband), reserved for ceremonies and special occasions.

Luxon joins a host of world leaders, politicians and notable Kiwis who have been honoured this way. They include Sir Robert Muldoon, Jim Bolger, David Lange, Sir John Key and Sir Bill English.

King Charles also received two honorary titles while in Samoa in late 2024, including another “Tui” title – Tuitaumeasina – from the village of Moata’a, near Apia.

For many Samoan families and villages, it is an honour to receive a matai title – names that are traditionally handed down from generation to generation, effectively making those who receive them leaders and decision-makers within their wider aiga (family) or village.

To’osavili John Key

Sir John Key views damage at Samoa's Sinalei Resort, which was owned by New Zealanders Joe and Tui Annandale. Tui was killed in the 2009 tsunami. Photo / Brett Phibbs

In 2009, after a deadly tsunami made headlines in September that year, then Prime Minister Sir John Key travelled to Samoa to meet locals and visit villages that had been destroyed. New Zealanders were among the official 189 deaths recorded.

As a sign of respect and gratitude for that visit, one of the villages he visited, Poutasi, honoured him with a high chief title of To’osavili.

Key visited the village five years later. A traditional ava welcoming ceremony was held for him and fellow politicians, as he was welcomed as a son of Poutasi.

Leulua’iali’iotumua Bill English

Then Prime Minister Bill English is bestowed the Leulua'iali'iotumua matai title in a ceremony at Faleula in 2017. Photo / Govt of Samoa

In 2017, then PM Bill English received the high chief title of Leulua’iali’iotumua from the village of Faleula, in which his Samoan wife, Dr Mary English, and his children have familial roots.

English was in Samoa as part of the independence celebrations that year, saying he was honoured to receive the title on behalf of New Zealand and his own family.

Tupuivao Steve Hansen

Then All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen pictured at a special ceremony with Samoa's then PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in 2015. Photo / Dean Purcell

Even the All Blacks once had a Samoan chief in their ranks – former coach Sir Steve Hansen, who has the high chief honorary title of Tupuivao, or “King of the Forest”.

Hansen was bestowed the honour from a family in the village of Vaiala, not far from Apia Park, which was fitting, given he was there with the All Blacks for the team’s first match against the Manu Samoa rugby team on home ground.

At that ceremony, which included the presence of then Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, there was hearty laughter when one of the elders said to Hansen: “When New Zealand axe you as a coach, come and coach Vaiala!”

King Tuitaumeasina Toaigaotumua Charles III

King Charles III sips ava as Queen Camilla looks on during an ava ceremony to welcome the royals to Samoa in October 2024. Photo / Manaui Faulalo

King Charles III is another high chief of Samoa, having been bestowed two matai titles, Tuitaumeasina and Toaigaotumua, from the villages of Moata’a and Siumu, respectively.

The King and Queen Camilla were in Samoa as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024.

“I shall always remain devoted to this part of the world and hope that I survive long enough to come back again and see you,” he said at the end of their trip.

His comments were poignant given his cancer diagnosis earlier that year.

Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.