Si’alei Van Toor has been named New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa, marking the first time a person of Samoan heritage has been appointed to the role. Alongside this, she will also serve as New Zealand’s Consul-General to American Samoa, highlighting her significant role in Pacific regional diplomacy, as reported by RNZ.
Van Toor, who has a rich background in diplomacy with previous postings in Taiwan and Russia, will start her new role next month. She brings a unique perspective to the position, not only because of her professional experience but also due to her personal connection to Samoa. Van Toor’s maternal grandparents migrated to New Zealand from Samoa in the 1940s, and she has expressed a deep appreciation for the opportunity to explore and connect with her cultural heritage further through her work.
The appointment comes at a time when the relationship between New Zealand and Samoa is already strong, built on a foundation of extensive people-to-people links, sports, business, and cultural connections. This relationship is supported by the Treaty of Friendship of 1962 and the 2019 Statement of Partnership. Van Toor has stated her commitment to maintaining and developing these ties further.
Van Toor’s personal connection to Samoa is not just professional but deeply personal. She lived in Samoa in 1999 as a master’s student, an experience she describes as instrumental in shaping her understanding and appreciation of Samoan culture and society. Her family, including her mother Lorraine Havill, has expressed immense pride in her achievements and her role in furthering New Zealand’s diplomatic missions.
As Samoa prepares to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October, Van Toor’s appointment is timely. Her role as High Commissioner will be crucial in facilitating and enhancing the discussions and partnerships that will emerge from this significant event.
