11 March 2026
Hon. Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Wellington
New Zealand
I lau Afioga Vaovasamanaia, Honourable Minister Peters,
Tena koe Rangatira
Re: Concern Regarding Official Visit to Samoa
I write on behalf of CTV Media and thousands of Samoan families throughout the globe and Aotearoa New Zealand to respectfully raise serious concerns regarding your official visit to Samoa.
We recently learned that you are currently in French Polynesia en-route to opening a market in Samoa.
We acknowledge the longstanding historical, cultural, and economic relationship between New Zealand and Samoa, and the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement between our two countries. However, the timing and optics of this visit have generated significant concern among Samoans both within New Zealand, Samoa and across the global Samoan diaspora.
At present, the Prime Minister of Samoa, La’auli Leuatea Fosi Schmidt, is awaiting a court ruling relating to serious integrity allegations which includes accusations involving conspiracy and the fabrication of evidence, amongst many others in proceedings presently before the courts.
In addition, it is widely reported that the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, Onesemo Toelupe, is also awaiting a judicial determination in relation to alleged election bribery charges involving substantial financial sums.
Moreover, further concern has arisen from the recent appointment of a new Attorney-General for Samoa, who previously acted as defence counsel for the Prime Minister during the criminal proceedings currently under judicial consideration. Many observers view this development as raising legitimate questions regarding institutional independence and the perception of executive influence over key legal offices.
As a lawyer, I am sure that you too would understand the serious issues of conflict of interest amongst many others arising out of this unethical at best, and unconstitutional at worst, appointment. The appointment was unilaterally made by the Prime Minister without having regard to due process and requirements of the Constitution.
In this context, thousands of Samoans both domestically and internationally have voiced strong objections to high-level diplomatic engagements that may be perceived as conferring legitimacy on a government leadership currently facing unresolved judicial scrutiny.
We therefore respectfully ask whether the Government of New Zealand has assessed the potential governance and rule-of-law implications associated with proceeding with this visit at this particular time. As a nation that has consistently championed democratic governance, judicial independence, and anti-corruption principles across the Pacific region, New Zealand’s actions carry significant symbolic weight.
The concern expressed by many Samoans is not opposition to New Zealand–Samoa relations, which remain deeply valued, but rather that the timing of this visit may inadvertently create the appearance of political endorsement while serious judicial matters remain before the courts.
In light of these circumstances, we respectfully urge you to consider whether postponing the visit to Samoa until the relevant court rulings are delivered would better align with the principles of good governance and judicial respect that both Samoa and New Zealand so vigorously and publicly uphold.
We would welcome clarification from your office regarding the New Zealand Government’s position on these concerns.
We have also previously written to the Prime Minister of NZ urging him not to attend the market opening in Samoa which we gladly now note, he is not.
Yours sincerely,
Kia pai to ra
Ma le fa’aloaloalo lava
Pulotu Sala Canada Alofa McCarthy
CTV Media
Pacific Affairs Desk
Auckland, New Zealand
