The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has launched a $110 million Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) policy as part of its election platform, and it’s already making waves across the country.
A short ad promoting the initiative is now circulating widely online. It shows two men sitting under a tree playing checkers while discussing the offer,
“Kakou uma a lea e gogofo i Samoa ma tautua le atunu’u e oo lava i le pepe, e maua le $500 i le tausaga,” says one. The other replies in disbelief, “O lona uiga a to’asefulu tagata o lo’u aiga e lima afe i le tausaga?”
The reply, “Mo le lima tausaga. E aumai sa’o lava i lima o le aiga. O le COLA o lau alaugi.” The final endorsement comes with, “E best lava Stui ma le HRPP.”
The ad has proven powerful. It’s convincing not just because of the numbers — it’s the tone. It promises something direct, tangible, and for some voters, long overdue.
For constituencies where many people say they missed out on benefits from the million-tala FAST campaign initiative, often credited with boosting suppliers but not making a significant dent in helping ordinary families, the COLA message is striking a different chord.
Whether or not the numbers will add up in the long term is yet to be seen. But for now, the HRPP’s approach has started to shift the conversation from district projects and suppliers to families and their wallets.
