- Questions published
- Reply lodged
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
Questions
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8701
On what date, was his office first informed of the possibility that he might be granted a Samoan matai title during his visit to Samoa during the week of 16 March 2026, and who informed his office?
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8702
On what date, was he first informed of the possibility that he might be granted a Samoan matai title during his visit to Samoa during the week of 16 March 2026, and who informed him?
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8703
On what date, was his office first informed that he would be granted a Samoan matai title during his visit to Samoa during the week of 16 March 2026, and who informed his office?
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8704
On what date, was he first informed that he would be granted a Samoan matai title during his visit to Samoa during the week of 16 March 2026, and who informed him?
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8705
Did New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa tell the Samoan Government that the Prime Minister wished to be granted a Samoan title or honour, if so, on what date?
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8706
On what dates, if any, has his office communicated with any member of New Zealand’s High Commission to Samoa regarding the possibility of a Samoan matai title, or other honours, being granted to him?
Show the remaining 12 questions
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8707
On what dates, if any, has his office communicated with New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa regarding the possibility of a Samoan matai title, or other honours, being granted to him?
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8708
On what dates, if any, has his office communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the possibility of a Samoan matai title, or other honours, being granted to him?
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8709
On what dates, if any, has his office communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding a Samoan matai title, or other honours, being granted to him?
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8710
Has any member of his office requested that he be granted a Samoan title, if so, on what date?
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8711
Has any member of his office requested that he be granted a Samoan honour, if so, on what date?
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8712
Has any member of his office requested that he be granted a Samoan matai title, if so, on what date?
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8713
Has he ever requested that any member of his office investigate whether he can be granted a Samoan honour, if so, on what date?
Original response/referral lodged:
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8714
Has he ever requested that any member of his office investigate whether he can be granted a Samoan title, if so, on what date?
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8715
Has he ever requested that any member of his office investigate whether he can be granted a Samoan matai title, if so, on what date?
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8716
Has he ever requested that he be granted a Samoan honour, if so, on what date?
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8717
Has he ever requested that he be granted a Samoan title, if so, on what date?
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8718
Has he ever requested that he be granted a Samoan matai title, if so, on what date?
Answered by
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Member for Botany · National Party · Prime Minister
Answer
On Monday 16 March 2026, the title Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua was bestowed on me in my capacity as Prime Minister of New Zealand. While the bestowal of an honorary title is a great honour for New Zealand, I did not ask, and nor did my representatives ask, for a matai title to be bestowed during my visit to Apia. As is normal in the preparation for a Prime Minister’s visit there were detailed discussions with the host government about arrangements. In making proper preparations for the visit, it was first indicated to the High Commissioner on 12 February 2026 that Samoa would like to bestow a title on the New Zealand Prime Minister. My Office was advised that such consideration was being given on 17 February 2026. On 4 March 2026 senior representatives of Apia village advised the High Commissioner that they wished to bestow the title. I was advised of the possibility a title might be given in late February and then it was confirmed on 11 March 2026 that arrangements had firmed for a bestowal.