NZ Prime Minister to Receive Matai Title during his State Visit to Samoa

2026-03-11 - 04:59

New Zealand Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, will be bestowed a matai title during his official state visit to Samoa next week. The chiefly title shall be given by the village of Apia in a ceremony to be held on the malae infront of the Government building next Monday morning. The New Zealand Prime Minister is expected to arrive into Samoa on Sunday 15 March 2026. The honour to bestow a chiefly title upon the NZ PM is offered as an appreciation by the people of Samoa, for the long standing partnership and support of Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand is a major development partner to Samoa, providing substantial aid through grants, budget support, and targeted projects to support Samoa’s development including but not limited to economic resilience, climate change adaptation, labour mobility, sports, health and education. Samoa and New Zealand share a Treaty of Friendship and there are over 213,000 Samoans currently live in New Zealand. This is an increase from 182,721 recorded in 2018. The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon is expected to arrive into Samoa on Sunday 15 March 2026. Prime Minister Luxon’s official visit was announced during a courtesy call by Samoa Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, while he was in Auckland in November 2025. Courtesy call of Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt with New Zealand Prime Minister, November 2025, Auckland NZ. The Apia Village Council met with the Samoa Prime Minister to confirm plans for the New Zealand Prime Minister’s state visit, and matai titlebestowal. It is expected that Prime Minister Luxon will take part in a Guard of Honour and Samoa’s flag raising ceremony at 9am on Monday. High Chiefs of Apia meet with Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa to finalise plans for Prime Minister Luxon’s visit. The matai title bestowal will then take place infront of the government building, hosted by the high cheifs of Apia Village. It is Luxon’s second visit to Samoa since he became New Zealand’s 42nd Prime Minister in November 2023. Luxon had visited Samoa during its hosting of CHOGM 2024. Brewed in Samoa.