The first ever national independence celebration in Savai’i is currently underway at the Don Bosco Technical College compound in Salelologa. 

Samoa Government leaders including the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and her Cabinet, the New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and members of the diplomatic corps are in attendance. 

Hundreds of school students as well as residents from around Savai’i have all congregated at Don Bosco in Salelologa to witness as well as to participate in the celebration. 

Parades by students from the different schools in Savai'i and traditional performances are part of today's celebration. 

Prime Minister and her Cabinet together with Dame Cindy travelled to Savai'i on Monday afternoon for today's independence celebration.

Social media posts Tuesday morning by Cabinet Ministers, such as the Minister of Public Enterprise Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo, showed Prime Minister Fiame accompanied by her Deputy Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister La’auli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi, and Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Afoa Va'ai at the official dias.

The eight 2022 Miss Samoa Pageant contestants were also part of the delegation to Savai'i and were seated at the back of the official dias on Tuesday morning. 

They include Shilohm Vaeluaga Filipi (Miss Samoa New Zealand); Olivia Grace Unasa Siaosi (Miss Samoa Victoria Inc.); Todahrabah Eniata (Miss Performing Arts); Gloryesther Fuimaono (Miss Samoa Stationery and Books); Haylanni Pearl Mataupu Kuruppu (Miss Samoa Melbourne Australia Inc.); Rosevelaryn Odile Everleilani Brown Fane (Miss Princess Mariana Publications); Jessika Laletupe Ki (Miss Samoa ua Tasi USA); and Valentine Tanya Tago (Miss Samoa New South Wales).