Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Honourable Afioga
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
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Mataʻafa in 2024
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| 7th Prime Minister of Samoa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 24 May 2021 |
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| O le Ao o le Malo | Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | [[Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi]] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 19 March 2016 – 11 September 2020 |
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| Prime Minister | Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 17th Commonwealth Chair-in-Office | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 25 October 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Kagame | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Lotofaga |
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| Assumed office 22 February 1985 |
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| Preceded by | Asiasiau Sausoo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
Naomi Mataʻafa
29 April 1957 Apia, Western Samoa Trust Territory (now Samoa) |
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| Political party | Samoa Uniting Party (since 2025) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations |
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| Parents | [[Fiamē Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II]] (father) [[Laulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa]] (mother) |
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| Education | Victoria University of Wellington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa (born 29 April 1957) is a Samoan politician and a respected High Chief. She has been the Prime Minister of Samoa since 2021.
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa is the daughter of Samoa's first Prime Minister, Fiamē Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II. She is the first woman to lead the government of Samoa. She was also the first woman to be appointed to a Cabinet position in Samoa's history. From 1991 to 2006, she served as the Minister of Education. Later, she was the Minister of Women from 2006 to 2011 and Minister of Justice from 2011 to 2016.
From 2016 to 2020, Mataʻafa was Samoa's first female Deputy Prime Minister. She resigned from this role due to disagreements over a new law. In 2021, she joined the new Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party and became its leader. After the 2021 election, FAST won the most seats. However, the previous Prime Minister did not want to leave office, which led to a political disagreement. This issue was resolved by Samoa's Court of Appeal, which confirmed Mataʻafa as Prime Minister on 23 July 2021.
In January 2025, Mataʻafa and some other ministers left the FAST party. They then formed a new political party called the Samoa Uniting Party (SUP) in May 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa was born on 29 April 1957 in Apia, Samoa. Her father, Fiamē Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II, was a high chief and later became Samoa's first Prime Minister. Her mother was Laʻulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa. Fiamē was born five years before Samoa became an independent country from New Zealand.
She attended school in Wellington, New Zealand. In 1976, she began studying at Victoria University of Wellington. After her father passed away, she returned to Samoa in 1977 to claim his important traditional title, Fiamē. She officially gained the Fiamē title in 1978. It was unusual for a young, single woman like her (she was 20 at the time) to hold such a high title.
Political Career and Leadership
Mataʻafa began her political journey in 1985 when she was elected to parliament. She represented the area of Lotofaga, a seat her mother had held before her. She has been re-elected in every election since then, making her one of the longest-serving members of Parliament.
On 15 May 1991, she became the Minister of Education, marking a historic moment as Samoa's first female cabinet minister. She held this position until 2006. After that, she served as the Minister of Women, Community & Social Development until 2011, and then as Minister of Justice from 2011 to 2016.
Mataʻafa has also represented Samoa on the executive board of UNESCO. She was also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the University of the South Pacific from 2006 to 2012. She is currently the president of the Samoa National Council of Women.
Deputy Prime Minister Role
In March 2016, Mataʻafa was chosen as the deputy leader of the Human Rights Protection Party. On 19 March 2016, she was sworn in as Samoa's first female Deputy Prime Minister. She also became the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
In 2018, she started the Women in Climate Change Initiative (WiCC), which she supports as its Patron. In September 2020, she resigned from her cabinet position. This happened after she announced she would vote against a new law, following the wishes of the people in her area. After her resignation, she was asked to lead the new Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party. She joined FAST in January 2021 and was elected its leader in March 2021.
2021 Election and Government Formation
During the 2021 general election on 9 April 2021, Mataʻafa was re-elected without opposition for her Lotofaga seat. The election results were very close, with FAST and the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) having the same number of seats.
After the election, there was a period of uncertainty. The Samoan Electoral Commission added an extra seat to parliament, which led to a tie between the two main parties. Mataʻafa and FAST disagreed with this decision and took the matter to court. On 17 May, the Supreme Court of Samoa ruled that the extra seat was not valid. This decision meant that FAST had a majority in parliament. The court also said that the call for a new election was not legal and ordered parliament to meet.
From 24 May to 23 July 2021, there was a disagreement about who was the rightful Prime Minister. The previous Prime Minister did not accept the court's ruling. Despite this, Mataʻafa was sworn into office as Samoa's first female Prime Minister in a special ceremony. On 23 July 2021, the Court of Appeal confirmed that her swearing-in was legal and that FAST had been the government since 24 May. Three days later, the previous Prime Minister accepted the decision, and the political situation was resolved.
Prime Minister of Samoa
Mataʻafa and her government officially took office on 26 July 2021. She is Samoa's first female Prime Minister. She is also the first head of government in Samoa since 1982 who is not a member of the HRPP. She also held the roles of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources and Environment. In October 2021, she handed over the Natural Resources and Environment portfolio to another minister. She regained the Tourism portfolio in October 2023.
Domestic Policies
One of the first tasks for Mataʻafa's government was to pass the national budget. The budget of 982 million tālā was approved by parliament in September 2021.
In September 2021, her government decided that Samoa would no longer observe daylight savings time. In November 2021, Mataʻafa stated that legalizing same-sex marriage was not a plan for her government. She also advised United Nations employees not to interfere with Samoan politics on these matters.
Political Changes in 2025
In January 2025, some changes happened within the FAST party. Mataʻafa removed some ministers from their roles. Following this, on 15 January, she and several other cabinet ministers were removed from the FAST party. Mataʻafa and the other removed members stated that their expulsion was not valid.
On 27 May 2025, the government's budget was not approved by parliament. Because of this, Mataʻafa advised the Head of State to dissolve parliament and call for a new election. Shortly after, Mataʻafa and her cabinet announced they had left FAST and formed a new party called the Samoa Uniting Party (SUP). The SUP was officially registered on 30 May 2025, with Mataʻafa as its leader.
Foreign Policy and International Relations
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Mataʻafa has strongly focused on climate change in Samoa's relationships with other countries, especially Australia. She has emphasized that Australia's actions on climate change are important for their relationship. She welcomed the new Australian government in 2022, praising its commitment to addressing climate change.
In June 2022, during a visit from the Australian foreign minister, Mataʻafa signed a partnership agreement focused on human development and social equality in Samoa. Australia also agreed to replace Samoa's patrol boat, which will help with maritime security.
Relations with China
Before officially becoming Prime Minister, Mataʻafa announced that she would cancel plans for a new port funded by China. She explained that Samoa did not need the project and it could increase the country's debt. Samoa's debt to China was about 19% of its total economy in 2021. She confirmed this decision after taking office. However, Mataʻafa has stated that she wants to maintain good relations with China and the United States. In May 2022, the Chinese foreign minister visited Samoa and signed agreements. Mataʻafa did not agree to a larger regional economic and security deal proposed by China, saying that Pacific Island Forum countries should discuss it first.
Relations with New Zealand
In June 2022, Mataʻafa visited New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Wellington. The two leaders confirmed their friendly relationship and discussed working together on climate change, COVID-19, and regional cooperation. Mataʻafa also assured New Zealand that Samoa was not seeking military cooperation with China. This trip was her first official visit since becoming Prime Minister.
In August 2022, Prime Minister Ardern visited Samoa. They discussed climate change, economic strength, and health. New Zealand promised NZ$15 million to help Samoa with climate change efforts and NZ$12 million to rebuild a historic market in Apia.
Pacific Islands Forum
Mataʻafa has supported unity within the Pacific Islands Forum. She believes that small island countries need to work together to be heard on the world stage. She sees this unity as a way to protect these nations from the goals of larger countries.
In April 2022, Mataʻafa announced efforts to bring Micronesia back to the Pacific Islands Forum. Several Micronesian countries had announced their withdrawal after a disagreement over the election of a new secretary-general. Mataʻafa described the situation as "unfortunate" and worked to resolve it. The Micronesian countries agreed to rejoin after the forum decided that the next secretary-general would be from Micronesia. She called this resolution a success.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
On 9 October 2021, Mataʻafa announced that the government would bring back Samoan students studying in Fiji, where COVID-19 cases were increasing.
Lockdowns in Samoa
In January 2022, Samoa experienced its first community cases of COVID-19. Mataʻafa announced a 48-hour nationwide lockdown, which was later extended. After the number of cases stabilized, the lockdown ended. In March 2022, Samoa entered another lockdown after more community cases were reported. During this time, Mataʻafa increased support for vaccination campaigns. Restrictions began to ease in April 2022. In May, Mataʻafa announced that Samoan citizens could return home and that Samoa's international borders would fully reopen in August 2022.
Awards and Recognition
In 2017, Mataʻafa received the Stars of Oceania Individual's Award. In December 2018, she was given an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of the South Pacific. As Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, she received the Ocean Stewardship Award in 2017 for her work on Samoa's Ocean Strategy.
In December 2021, she was included in the BBC's 100 Women list for that year.
Family Background
Mataʻafa is the daughter of [[Fiame Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II]], a paramount chief and Samoa's first Prime Minister. Her mother, [[Laulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa]], was a diplomat, educator, and politician. Her maternal grandfather, Le Mamea Matatumua Ata, helped write the Samoan constitution. After her father's death in 1975, she was chosen to inherit one of his important chiefly titles, Fiamē, from Lotofaga.
She was studying at university in New Zealand when her extended family asked her to return to Samoa to take up her father's Fiamē title. Her mother, Laulu Fetaui, had entered parliament in 1975. When her mother retired from politics, Fiamē Naomi ran for the same seat and was elected.
Mataʻafa is a member of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Lotofaga. As the holder of the Fiamē title, she is the leading chief of Lotofaga and head of Sā Levalasi, a significant political family in Samoa. This family also holds the Mataʻafa title, one of the four most important traditional titles in Samoa.
Mataʻafa is not married and does not have children.
See also
In Spanish: Naomi Mata'afa para niños
