For many Samoan families and villages, it is an honour to receive a matai title \u2013 names that are traditionally handed down from generation to generation, effectively making those who receive them leaders and decision-makers within their wider aiga (family) or village.<\/p>\n
To\u2019osavili John Key<\/p>\n
Sir John Key views damage at Samoa’s Sinalei Resort, which was owned by New Zealanders Joe and Tui Annandale. Tui was killed in the 2009 tsunami. Photo \/ Brett Phibbs<\/p>\n
In 2009, after a deadly tsunami made headlines in September that year, then Prime Minister Sir John Key travelled to Samoa<\/a> to meet locals and visit villages that had been destroyed. New Zealanders were among the official 189 deaths recorded.<\/p>\n As a sign of respect and gratitude for that visit, one of the villages he visited, Poutasi, honoured him with a high chief title of To\u2019osavili.<\/p>\n Key visited the village five years later. A traditional ava welcoming ceremony was held for him and fellow politicians, as he was welcomed as a son of Poutasi.<\/p>\n Leulua\u2019iali\u2019iotumua Bill English<\/p>\n In 2017, then PM Bill English received the high chief title<\/a> of Leulua\u2019iali\u2019iotumua from the village of Faleula, in which his Samoan wife, Dr Mary English, and his children have familial roots.<\/p>\n English was in Samoa as part of the independence celebrations that year, saying he was honoured to receive the title on behalf of New Zealand and his own family.<\/p>\n Tupuivao Steve Hansen<\/p>\n Even the All Blacks once had a Samoan chief in their ranks \u2013 former coach Sir Steve Hansen<\/a>, who has the high chief honorary title of Tupuivao, or \u201cKing of the Forest\u201d.<\/p>\n Hansen was bestowed the honour from a family in the village of Vaiala, not far from Apia Park, which was fitting, given he was there with the All Blacks for the team\u2019s first match against the Manu Samoa rugby team on home ground.<\/p>\n At that ceremony, which included the presence of then Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, there was hearty laughter when one of the elders said to Hansen: \u201cWhen New Zealand axe you as a coach, come and coach Vaiala!\u201d<\/p>\n King Tuitaumeasina Toaigaotumua Charles III<\/p>\nThen Prime Minister Bill English is bestowed the Leulua’iali’iotumua matai title in a ceremony at Faleula in 2017. Photo \/ Govt of Samoa<\/p>\n
Then All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen pictured at a special ceremony with Samoa’s then PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in 2015. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
King Charles III sips ava as Queen Camilla looks on during an ava ceremony to welcome the royals to Samoa in October 2024. Photo \/ Manaui Faulalo<\/p>\n