The new title holder of the Patū title from Vaiala is a grateful man – as the paramount title's new keeper, Seagaitumua Dr. Paniani Patū underwent the traditional bestowal ceremony on Saturday morning. 

Held at the family's Maota i Tapuotaota in Vaiala, the occasion was attended by hundreds of people from Vaiala, Moataa, Magiagi, Apia and districts from around the country who gathered to witness the ceremony. The new keeper of the paramount title received the blessings of the High Chiefs of the family and the village.

Patū Dr. Paniani Patū on Saturday occupied the seat of the Head of the Patū (Simeona side) family which had been vacated since the passing of the late Patū Afaese in the year 2002. 

The Patū family on Friday night hosted a church service to bless the new title holder and to seek God's guidance and protection upon Patū as he rises to lead the family and village. 

Patū Dr. Paniani II, a medical doctor by profession who is based in Sydney, Australia told the Sunday Samoan in an exclusive interview on Saturday he has expressed his sincere gratitude to his family for choosing him and placing their trust in him to serve the family through "such a big title". 

He said that he was very grateful and content that they were able to conduct the bestowal ceremony on Saturday, something he said they have been planning for a long time. 

Acknowledging that the title comes with a lot of responsibilities, Patū said he is "humbled" by the opportunity and blessings of the matai from the family and the village.

"I am truly humbled by this appointment and for the trust and blessings that have been bestowed upon me by my family, to lead and serve our family, village and community in this capacity," Patū said. 

"I feel a lot of gratitude and humbleness because this is such a great honour. I know its a big title that also comes with expectations and responsibilities. 

"Part of the responsibilities is moving back to Samoa and serve our family and continue to give back to our community. 

"This honour given to me and my family isn't something we take lightly and we are humbled by it and very grateful. 

"I have been serving our Samoan and Pacific island community in Sydney Australia for a very long time and I look forward to continue to work for our people back here in Samoa in my capacity as a doctor and and a paramount chief in Samoa.

"It has been a long time since someone has taken up the title Patū for our family so to have been given the honour to lead and serve our family through this title is something big."

The 69-year-old General Practitioner is married to the daughter of the late Asi Vaimasenu'u and Marcella Apa from Moata'a, Minerva Apa-Patū. 

The high chiefs of the Patū family at Vaiala and Moata'a hosted a special traditional ava ceremony on Saturday morning at Tapuotaota to confer their blessings upon the new title holder. 

There were also a lot of traditional presentations prepared by the family and the village for the occasion. The grandfather of Patū, Paniani Patu I also held the title back in 1923. The other matai title currently held by Patū, Seagaitumua is from Lotofaga.