Samoa Asks NZ To Chair Workshop

Media Statement
2 October 2009
Samoa Asks NZ To Chair Workshop As They Head Home From Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference In Tanzania

New Zealand will chair an international parliamentary workshop to assist the Samoan parliamentary delegation which has returned home together with the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament from the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held in Arusha, Tanzania.

Leader of the New Zealand delegation, Shane Ardern MP, said Carmel Sepuloni MP, who is of Samoan and Tongan descent, will chair the workshop on commonwealth and youth and how to engage future generations. The co-chair will be Moana Mackey MP who has been the Pacific Region representative on the Commonwealth Parliament Association executive.

Shane Ardern said there was a great sadness among delegates at the conference and messages of sympathy had been extended to the Samoan and Tongan delegations.
"The Samoan delegation specifically asked New Zealand to step into the chair for the workshop to enable them to return home and provide support and assistance to their people in dealing with the devastation left in the wake of Tsunami," he said.

New Zealand's Speaker, the Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, had earlier sent a letter of condolence to the Speaker of the Samoan Legislative Assembly, the Hon Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua, and his Tongan counterpart, the Hon Tu'ilakepa, extending the deepest sympathy of the New Zealand Parliament and the New Zealand people on the loss of life and property following the earthquake and Tsunami.

"New Zealand's offer of assistance in the form of aid and ongoing support in your hour of need is a reflection of our deep friendship and the close ties between our countries," Dr Smith said.

The Arusha conference is one the Commonwealth's biggest gathering of political leaders and is going to be opened today by the Tanzanian president, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. More than 700 parliamentarians from around the world are attending the conference.

New Zealand’s delegation to the conference is Shane Ardern MP, Sue Kedgley MP, and Carmel Sepuloni MP.

ENDS

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