Wellington Samoans give aid and cash for Tsunami Relief
…Samoan Advisory Council apologise for Ah Hoi outburst

A contingent from the Wellington-based Samoa Advisory Council this week presented eight containers of tsunami aid assistance as well as NZ$66,850.00 to the government of Samoa.

The assistance was collected not only from the Samoan community in Wellington but, according to council president Afamasaga Maugaleo’o Afamasaga, non-Samoans in the New Zealand capital who were struck by the tsunami devastation and the loss of lives in Samoa “Samoa is one big family,” he told Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi Monday at his office during the presentation.

“When Samoa is hurt, we too feel the pain everywhere, where there are Samoans. Whatever we have been able to provide, it’s in the name of all Samoans and friends of Samoa in Wellington.

The assistance presented, Afamasaga said, was the end result of fundraising and aid drives organised by the council.

Afamasaga also took the opportunity to apologise to the Prime Minister about the recent “inflammatory” comments made by the Porirua deputy mayor
Litea Ah Hoi.

“As you know Tuila’epa, like everywhere else in the world, while some people contribute with an open heart, there are others who try to discredit the cause for their own selfish interests. It’s just sad that in this case, it’s another Samoan.

“We just want you (Prime Minister) to know that we in Wellington have the utmost confidence in your government and how aid and money is being distributed to those affected by the tsunami. We do not pick up rubbish from newspapers”

Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi thanked the council for their support and asked them to relay his compliments to the communities in New Zealand.
“My door is always open to your council on whatever is in the best interest of community in Wellington.”

The Prime Minister keeps in regular contact with Samoans in Wellington through a weekly radio programme aired live Thursday night on NIU F.M also during the day on Samoa Capital Radio(SCR) where he provides an update of what is going on in Samoa.

The eight containers were stored at the National Disaster Office compound at Tuana’imato and it’s contents this week distributed to the affected areas by government.

The contingent also handed over a separate monetary contribution of US$15,000.00 from the Wellington Embassy of Thailand as well as other money assistance from the Wellington Maori community and the New Zealand Indian community.
ends

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