Apology to people of Sāmoa for the injustices

Invincible Strangers 77 Chapter 33.2

Among HRPP politicians, this was a shock, including senior party MP Tuila’epa Sa’ilele:

‘The protocol was political dynamite! I argued “Let us tell the New Zealand government it is not our baby. If they decide to squash it, it is their own decision.” I did not want Va’ai to be dragged into being party to the squashing of the Privy Council decision by law. Let the New Zealanders do that under their own steam.’

Va’ai went ahead and bent under Muldoon’s pressure. When he returned home he claimed to be sick, leaving the issue to be discussed in caucus with his deputy, Tofilau Eti, to chair. Tofilau and Tuila’epa shouted at each other and when it became clear that Tofilau was losing support, the meeting was halted for a meal.

‘Tofilau was furious with me for putting cabinet to shame,’ Tuila’epa said. ‘He got his plate full of food and then threw it against the wall, breaking it to pieces. He busted out of the building. He had to pass me to get to his car, and I think that he was completely blind with rage.’

Another MP prompted Tofilau to say: ‘Get out of the way or I will knock your bloody head off!’ The story, included in Tuila’epa’s later hagiography, may have been true. The greater damage was done: most Sāmoans lost the citizenship the Privy Council had said was theirs automatically. 

Tofilau remained an authoritarian prime minister until 1998 with Tuila’epa as his deputy and finance minister. Their decade long rule was marred by numerous corruption allegations. HRPP was beginning to develop a stench about it, not eased significantly when Tuila’epa at 53 became prime minister.

Helen Clark apologises to Samoa. At right, in white suit, is Tupua Tamasese Efi. Photo Michael Field

In 2002, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark formally apologised to Sāmoa for the mishandling of the influenza epidemic and Aso Pogisa.