United for Health: Le Afio’aga and o Aotearoa Hosts Samoa Delegation for Workforce Exchange Launch
Mangere, Auckland – April
Le Afio'aga o Aotearoa was honoured to host a distinguished delegation of nine from the Ministry of Health, Samoa on the 8th of April, including Hon. Valasi Luapitofanua To’omaga Tafito Selesele, Samoa’s Minister of Health. The delegation was invited to the New Zealand for soft launch of the Samoa–NZ Long-Term Placements and Twinning Programme — a new and exciting regional initiative set to transform the healthcare workforce across the two nations. This exciting collaboration builds on the programme’s initial soft launch in Samoa early this year, and sets the stage for ongoing partnership, capacity building, and knowledge exchange between Samoa and New Zealand.
Funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), this initiative aims to foster long-term collaboration between primary healthcare professionals in Samoa and Aotearoa. The programme will enable placements across both countries, offering participants hands-on learning experiences while working toward a formal qualification in the health field.
Developed through a close partnership between the Samoa Ministry of Health and a New Zealand consortium led by Le Afio’aga o Aotearoa (LAOA), the programme represents a meaningful step forward in Pacific-led health solutions. It brings together shared expertise in community health, medical education, and research, and supports Samoa’s national health priorities through a culturally grounded, capacity-building approach.
During their visit, the Samoan delegation were welcomed at the heart of Ōtara — a fitting location given the strong Pacific presence and commitment to grassroots health initiatives in the community. The delegation visited two local health providers (South Seas Healthcare and Penina Trust) to learn about the various work being undertaken in their respective spaces.
Later on in the week, the delegation attended the soft of launch of the programme as part of a wider Collective Summit delivered by LAOA. The soft launch marked the beginning of the programme but also strengthen ties between key health institutions and government leaders from both Samoa and New Zealand.
As the Samoa–NZ Long-Term Placements and Twinning Programme begins its rollout, both countries are looking forward to the opportunities it will create — from professional development and skills exchange to stronger health systems that are responsive to the unique needs of Pacific communities.
This initiative is a bold example of how cross-cultural collaboration and community-driven leadership can pave the way for lasting, transformative impact in the health sector.
The delegates are:
6. Falelua Maua, Ministry of Health Samoa, Principal Nurse
7. Fusi Tietie, Assistant CEO and Health Sector Coordinator, Ministry of Health Samoa.
8. Laulu Tamati, Assistant CEO Quality Assurance, Infection Prevention and Control and Performance Development, Ministry of Health Samoa.
9. Asiata Professor Satu Viali, Chairman of the Samoan Medical Council
1. Hon. Valasi Lupitofanua To’omaaga Selesele, Minister of Health Samoa.
2. Aiono Professor Dr. Alec Ekeroma, Director General, Ministry of Health Samoa.
3. Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen, Deputy Director General Public Health, Ministry of Health Samoa.
4. June Scanlan, Chief Nurse, Ministry of Health, Samoa.
5. Henry Taylor, Ministry of Health Samoa, Principal Nurse, Savaii.