Your Highness, the Head of State, Member of Council of Deputies, Prime Minister and Ministers of Cabinet, Speaker of the House and Members of Parliament, Chief Justice and the Office of the Judiciary, Your Excellencies – Members of the Diplomatic Corp, Heads of Government Departments and Corporations, Distinguished Representatives of the Business Community, Ladies, and Gentlemen.

Talofa lava and a very warm welcome to you all on this very special occasion to witness the launch of Samoa’s new $60 Tala paper banknote, to commemorate the 60 th Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence.

This banknote marks not only an important milestone for the Central Bank towards the evolution of Samoa’s currency but for the nation as well. This is the first time in Samoa’s history of Banknotes, a 60 Tala-denominated note will be issued into circulation. A unique way to culminate the yearlong celebration of our 60th Independence.

Design on the Banknote

The banknote represents the celebration of a "new dawn", a beginning of a new day which is a sign of living hope, and a new era as we celebrate an important change in Samoa’s history. The first female Prime Minister to be appointed to create a new dream for the people of Samoa.

This new banknote portrays the first female prime minister of Samoa, the Honorable Fiame Naomi Mataafa, in its 60th year of independence.

The other side features the first Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honorable Fiame Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu II as he lowered the New Zealand Government flag on its first independence.

Remarkably, the banknote features a father and daughter both appointed to the office of Prime Minister - within 60 years of Samoa's independence.

The banknote features the 60th Independence logo with the theme of “Folau ma le Fa’atuatua” or “Sail with faith” and Samoa’s national motto “Fa’avae i Le Atua Samoa” or “Samoa is founded on God”.

The banknote also features for the first time, an all-female signatories on a Samoan banknote at any point in time – that is, the signatures of our first female Minister of Finance, and the first female Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa.

This commemorative 60 tala banknote not only commemorates our 60 years of independence but also the accomplishments of Samoan women, and the unique importance of their role in the Samoan culture, as per the Samoan proverb “E au le ina’ilau a tamaitai”.

Technical Features of the Banknote

I have been told that the 60 Tala commemorative banknote includes several significant technical changes to enhance security features. For instance: 

(i) It includes a new updated window security thread in blue and green.

(ii) New Colored banknote for easy recognition of the new denomination.

(iii) New security watermark design featuring the national flower, Teuila.

(iv) A 14.00mm gold iridescent band near the watermark.

(v) The note will also be carbon neutral.

Circulation

Ladies and Gentlemen, the $60 Tala commemorative banknote will be issued into circulation through commercial banks from 31 May 2023 and they will be legal tender, just like any other banknote or coin. Stocks of these special notes are limited and clearly, they will become collectors’ items.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank and acknowledge with appreciation De La Rue Currency of the United Kingdom for their close collaboration with the Central Bank of Samoa throughout this project and for the success of making this Banknote.

Last, but not least, I want to acknowledge the Central Bank – the Board, Management, and Staff for leading this effort to commemorate Samoa’s 60 years of independence.

Ladies and gentlemen, I now have the pleasure of officially unveiling Samoa’s 60 tala paper commemorative banknote. Soifua ma ia manuia.

• This speech by the Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Molio'o was delivered at the official unveiling of the new SAT$60 note by the Government on the evening of Friday 26 May 2023.