Apia, Samoa – Thursday, 11th July 2024
The National University of Samoa (NUS) launched the Vaimea Prison Report on Wednesday, 10th July 2024, on campus. This report is a comprehensive historical and heritage research project that unveils the rich history and cultural significance of the Vaimea Prison, a 118-year-old site in Apia.
Funded by the New Zealand High Commission Fund (HEF), the report provides a detailed historical assessment of the Vaimea Prison, highlighting its profound significance as a cultural heritage site. It traces the prison’s connection to Samoa’s indigenous resistance movements, including the Mau a Pule and the Mau Movement, emphasizing the struggles and sacrifices of Samoan leaders and people who fought for their land, culture, and sovereignty. The study also explores the prison’s role in documenting the first instances of land alienation in Samoa’s history and the impact of settler machinations on Samoa’s physical and social landscape. Additionally, it pays tribute to the Fitafita Native Guard, the first all-Samoan constabulary, which played a crucial role in shaping Samoa’s policing history and charts the evolution of the Samoan Police Force over time.
“We are happy to present this report to our counterparts in government, who can use this knowledge to make informed decisions about the future of this historic site,” said Professor Tuifuisa’a Malua Amosa, NUS Vice Chancellor and President. “Our team has conducted an in-depth analysis of the rich history of Vaimea Prison, and we hope that this report will contribute to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Samoa’s cultural heritage.”
In her keynote speech, Her Excellency Ms. Si’alei van Toor, Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa, commended NUS on its efforts to document and preserve Samoan heritage and cultural sites, stating that such initiatives align with New Zealand’s mission to support sustainable development and community well-being in developing countries.
The report was made possible through a generous grant of $39,789.00 tala from the New Zealand High Commission Fund (HEF). Hard copies of the report were presented to key stakeholders, including the New Zealand High Commission of Samoa, the Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Government of Samoa.
NUS extends its gratitude to all partners and stakeholders who contributed to this project and looks forward to continuing its role in protecting and preserving shared heritage. Alongside the historic and heritage report, funding was used to commission an architectural and condition assessment and to complete a three-dimensional rendering of the building.
All three project outputs are available to the public through the following links:
