What is an Ifoga? and the NZ Governments Symbolic Ifoga / Fa'amaualaloga

Fa'amaualaloga - the act of seeking forgiveness with humility.

Fa'amāgaloga - The act of forgiving.

The age old protocol of the Samoan ifoga is explained here, as a communal gesture of offering up remorse, of seeking forgiveness and healing a Vā in Samoan culture. 

The NZ government re-enacted a symbolic ifoga to the Pasifika people of Aotearoa, for the injustices and breaching of human rights caused by the NZ government during the Dawn Raids era of persecution. 

This enactment or 'Fa'amaualaloga' was performed by members of the Labour Party Pasifika caucus, presented to the Pasifika community and representatives at the Auckland Town Hall on Aug 1st 2021.  

The representatives were Rev Setaita Taumoepeau K  Veikune (MNZM), Falema'i Lesa Sega who won her citizenship from the Privy Council, Taimalieutu Papali'i Kiwi Tamasese, descendant of Mau leaders imprisoned in Mount Eden by New Zealand and Aupito Pupu Lolesio, whose home was dawn raided in the early hours of the morning in Otara.