Instructions from overseas and military weapons in Vietnam saga

Vietnamese police say Joseph Vaa and Steve Tofa were armed with military-grade weapons and acted under orders from an overseas figure, and spent days tracking their targets before opening fire in Ho Chi Minh City.

By Shalveen Chand • 27 May 2026, 10:00PM

Samoan man to be sentenced in slavery case

Moeaia Tuai, a Samoan chief, is due to be sentenced next month in Auckland, New Zealand, for enslaving a young woman, forcing her to work and sexually abusing her in what prosecutors described as treating her “as if she were owned.”

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By Maryana Amituanai • 12 January 2026, 8:50PM

Auckland Samoa basketball in for Independence tournament

The Auckland Samoa basketball team is in for the Independence Basketball Tournament, which runs from Monday, 1 June to Thursday, 4 June, bringing young Pacific athletes from New Zealand back to the islands to compete, reconnect with their heritage and experience culture.

By Tautua Vaa • 27 May 2026, 8:20PM

More questions than answers in the Vietnam saga

Questions are still arising after two Samoans were caught and paraded in chains by the Vietnamese police. The two men have confessed and are now facing the grim possibility of never being able to set foot on home soil again.

By The Editorial Board • 27 May 2026, 9:00PM

Drugs and social media driving theft: Uni students

According to students at the University of the South Pacific, the recent increase in thefts and burglaries could be linked to increasing drug use, particularly methamphetamine, and shifting social conditions.

By Maryana Amituanai • 07 May 2026, 6:00PM

AFP working with Pacific Partners to combat illicit drugs

Seventeen tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized by local and international law enforcement in the Pacific since January. That equates to about three tonnes of illicit drugs seized every month since the start of this year.

By Krissy Barrett • 26 May 2026, 10:10PM

Ta'i's Take. What will God do?

The call by Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi to Prime Minister, Laaulialemalitoa Leuatea Schmidt, to swear with him on the Bible that they had nothing to do with the death of the university student back in 2021 comes as a complete surprise.

By Seuseu Faalogo • 16 May 2026, 6:40PM

Pasefika Motors and Kontiki Finance making car ownership more accessible

Kontiki Finance is growing partnerships with trusted dealers like Pasefika Motors to create more options for local people.

18 May 2026, 11:30AM

My Samoa today II

Now, despite a hand-delivered letter to the Police Commissioner, multiple phone calls to the police and a Letter to the Editor, no action!

27 May 2026, 8:50PM

Between the Lines

Asked to leave politely, short of the announced figure, the schools are still waiting, dodgy dog owners and getting enough sleep.

27 May 2026, 10:50PM

Play Your Part

Think a minute…A famous painting shows a king making a chain from his crown, and a slave making a crown from his chain.

28 September 2022, 7:00AM

“The Climate Change Conference is an opportunity – if we all play our part”

Opinion | "It is important that we all have the same goal: a climate-neutral and resilient future in which our children can live in security and prosperity."

By Annalena Baerbock • 28 November 2023, 10:00PM