Sources: RNZI
New Zealand announces that it has paid a NZ$6 million compensation to Samoa over the sinking of the HMNZS "Manawanui" off the coast of Upolu in October 2024. 2025-10-6
Samoan prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa says that she will dissolve parliament and seek an early election after leading a minority government since January, when she was expelled from her party. 2025-05-27
Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS "Manawanui" runs aground off the coast of Samoa before catching fire and later capsizing. All 75 crew members are evacuated onto lifeboats and rescued. It is the first loss of a New Zealand naval ship at sea since World War II. 2024-10-5
Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa resigns over three proposed constitutional amendments, which would alter the power of the land and titles court. She also leaves the Human Rights Protection Party. Other MPs have already left the party over the issue and formed a new opposition party. 2020-09-11
The Supreme Court of Samoa denies a bid by two of the three defendants in the case to be able to return to Australia, where they have permanent residencies. The Court argued that, aside of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "no amount of surety bond would overcome the risk of the men not returning for their trial", which is set for November. 2020-07-23
Six travelers from China are denied entry and turned away from Samoa following the island country's introduction of a ban on all travelers from China. They later arrive in Fiji, where they are quarantined with no symptoms. These strict regulations come after a measles outbreak ravaged Samoa last month. 2020-01-27
Three suspects appear in court in Apia, Samoa, where two of them enter not-guilty pleas and the other a guilty plea on charges of conspiracy to assassinate the Prime Minister of Samoa. The defendant who pleaded guilty is due to be sentenced on September 30. 2019-09-9
Samoa's Legislative Assembly appoints Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II as O le Ao o le Malo, or Head of State. He will succeed Tufuga Efi, the country's head of state since 2007, on July 25. 2017-07-5
Tropical Cyclone Evan makes landfall near the Samoan capital Apia causing at least two deaths and the declaration of a state of disaster. 2012-12-13
Samoa announces the pardon of 35 prisoners to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence from New Zealand. 2012-06-1