'If it's not cultural, what is it?' Fiame questions use of matai titles amid Luxon controversy
Samoa's former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa says chiefly titles are culturally significant and should not be given to foreign prime ministers.
Fiame made the comment following the commotion over New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being honoured as a matai on Monday.
Luxon was bestowed the Tuisinavemauluomoto'otua title by the village of Apia.
Samoan Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt had reportedly made fun of Luxon requesting a chiefly title, ahead of his arrival in Apia on Sunday.
Luxon's office strongly denied this, so La'auli tried to walk back the political blunder with an apologetic statement.
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon embraces his Samoan counterpart La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt during the matai title ceremony in Apia on Monday. 16 March 2026 Photo: Facebook / Government of Samoa
The Samoa Observer reported that La'auli had a late night phone call from the head of Samoa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs informing him that Luxon wanted to call off the matai ceremony after "too much interference on social media".
Opposition leader Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who is also a former prime minister, relayed what he called was an embarrassing gaff by La'auli on air.
"He was joking; Mr Prime Minister of New Zealand asked for a matai title, we did not initiate it, I will have to use this occasion to demand from NZ other rights such as easier permits to enter New Zealand."
In a joint press conference in Samoa with La'auli this week, Luxon was asked what he thought of his counterpart saying he had asked for the title.
"What I'd just say is I think the prime minister addressed, you know, we we've worked our way through that issue, as you've seen in the last few hours, and what I'd say is important is our conversation has been about how we take our relationship forward.
"And so I appreciate there was some miscommunication in all of that, but we've got ourselves to the right place, where we are wanting to build our relationship in a deeper way and we want to see these two countries work together."
Tuila'epa believes the furore over Luxon has damaged La'auli's image, but stresses that honorary titles are normally given to foreign dignitaries and are not culturally significant.
"Since it is an honorary thing, it is not an issue that should attract a lot of debate under the Land and Titles Act, where titles are hotly contested," he said.
Opposition leader Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Fiame described La'auli's comments on air as "regrettable", however she strongly disagreed with Tuila'epa's interpretation of honorary titles.
"He's given out quite a few of those honorary titles, so if its not cultural what is it? Political?" she said.
Fiame said she has never supported the idea of bestowing foreign dignitaries with chiefly titles.
"Can I just say that personally I have never agreed with that practice but its a practise that other leaders have done."
She explained that matai titles are familial.
"It is an honorary title presented as a matai title, to say it has no cultural significance is incorrect. I mean we hold titles, these are family heads," she said.
Fiame noted that New Zealand's former female prime ministers were not given titles.
Fiame Naoi Mata'afa Photo: ABC News / Gabriella Marchant
"Both Helen Clark and Jacinda Ardern were not bestowed titles, I think they made it quite clear that if that was on the table, it was not their preference. Interesting right, the women leaders vs the male leaders. It's a bit of a guy thing."
Two Samoan matai who represent Matautu and Apia villages are now reportedly considering lodging an appeal in court over Luxon's new title.
Tuila'epa said the move is pointless.
"It's a waste of time because it is an honorary practice which has been done many times before and there is no basis whatsoever to take the matter to court." he said
Tuila'epa said the government should have explained to the villages involved exactly what an honorary title meant.