TALOFA LAVA!
Welcome to the Long Term Placements and Twinning Programme - strengthening health systems and workforce capabilities between Samoa and New Zealand
Are you a healthcare professional ready to make a real difference?
Join the Long-term Placement and Twinning Programme - an opportunity to share your expertise, and help elevate Samoa’s primary healthcare system.
If you have the passion and heart to serve, step in, sign up, and help strengthen Samoa’s healthcare system.
JOIN US FOR A CHANGE
JOIN US FOR A CHANGE
About the Programme
The Samoa New Zealand Fellowship in Health Practice (SNZFHP) Long-Term Placements and Twinning Programme (LTPTP) is a bi-directional exchange programme for primary healthcare professionals. It is designed to strengthen Samoa’s primary healthcare workforce in rural health and foster deeper regional collaboration with New Zealand. Through reciprocal placements, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, the programme enhances clinical capability, promotes shared learning, and facilitates knowledge exchange between the Samoa and New Zealand health systems. The twinning model supports workforce development, service improvement, and institutional collaboration, contributing to Samoa Ministry of Health priorities for workforce strengthening and the decentralisation of primary healthcare services.
This programme is funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) and implemented by Le Afio’aga O Aotearoa. The programme strengthens health systems and workforce capability through structured placements, knowledge exchange, and long-term partnerships between Samoa and New Zealand.
Programme Overview
Registered health professionals placed annually between Samoa and New Zealand
Placements aligned with national workforce priorities, service needs, and rural health contexts.
Fellowship integrates clinical practice, postgraduate education, professional development and mentorship
Collaboration with professional colleges, universities, regulatory bodies and health institutions.
Programme Key Priority Areas:
Rural Medicine
Urgent Care
Emergency medicine
Wound management
Oncology
Palliative care
Mental health rehabilitation
AR&R Outpatient Rehab
Our past work and engagements
New Zealand Delegation visited Savai'i in 2024.
The soft launch of Twinning Programme at the 2025 Annual Health Forum of Samoan Ministry of Health.
The soft launch of Twinning Programme at the 2025 Annual Health Forum of Samoan Ministry of Health.
The soft launch of Twinning Programme at the 2025 Annual Health Forum of Samoan Ministry of Health.
The soft launch of Twinning Programme at the 2025 Annual Health Forum of Samoan Ministry of Health.
An ambulance in rural Upolu in Samoa.
New Zealand Delegation visited Apia in 2024.
Samoan Delegation visited New Zealand in April 2026.
The soft launch of Twinning Programme at the 2025 Annual Health Forum of Samoan Ministry of Health.
New Zealand Delegation met Samoan healthcare professionals at Tuasivi Hospital in Savai'i.
New Zealand Delegation visited Savai'i in 2024.
Samoan Delegation visited the rural Ōamaru Hospital.
Samoan Delegation visited New Zealand in April 2026.
Samoan Delegation visited New Zealand in April 2026.
Samoan Delegation visited New Zealand in April 2026.
Samoan Delegation visited New Zealand in April 2026.
Contact Us
Please contact the Programme Coordinator for more information and enquiries:
