On the anniversary, New Zealand announced it had responded to a request from Samoa regarding the maritime disaster, with a payment of NZ$6 million - equivalent to around 10 million Samoan talā - to ...

Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt was sworn in as Samoa's 8th Prime Minister last Tuesday, following the general election held on 29 August.

Despite the decision to use the contingency fund, the exact amount beneficiaries will receive and the timing of the payments remain uncertain.

The Government has paid Samoa approximately $6 million following the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui in October last year. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Samoa requested the payment following the ...