Matai to assess financial demands on NZ Samoans

Samoan chiefs heading to end trouble By MICHAEL FIELD - Stuff.co.nz Last
updated 10:52 26/03/2009

A delegation of Samoa's top matai or chiefs are to visit Auckland to assess
the heavy financial impact cultural demands are having on their expatriate
kin in New Zealand.

Many of the over 120,000 Samoans or New Zealand-born Samoans face financial
demands over "the huge and unnecessary spending on Samoan ceremonies," the
Apia based Talamua website reports.

These include funerals, weddings and the bestowal of matai titles on
individuals.

In Samoan such demands are known as "fa'alavelave" which means entanglement
but colloquially is often translated as "trouble".

To meet demands from Samoa, many expatriates here take out high interest
loans.

Samoa's Central Bank said private remittances from New Zealand last year
amounted to T$108 million (NZ$66 million).

Samoa's Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development said in a
statement they would send the matai delegation to consult with the community
on how to cope with the demands.

They will hold two days of meetings on April 7 and 9 in Auckland.

Pa'u Teleiai Su'atapulolo'o Fereti Puni of the ministry said the impact of
cultural demands on Samoans was very disturbing.

"This practice has imposed on the welfare of Samoan families overseas and
has left many families in dire straits with some resorting to crime as a
means," he said.

"This is a call to action by Samoan leaders in Auckland especially with many
families going though hardship during the economic recession."

The ministry says 1500 Samoan church and community leaders are to take part
in the meeting.
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