Last Saturday 16 October, the Samoa High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Leasi Papali’i Scanlan) was invited to attend and speak at the opening of the Pasifika Youth Vaccination Festival at the Cannons Creek Town Centre Porirua. Many Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Spouses also attended. Other Special Guests included Cabinet Ministers Kris Fa’afoi and Ayesha Verral, Barbara Edmonds (MP for Mana), Afioga Fa’amatuainu Pereira as well as the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Porirua. The Prime Minister and Dr Ashley Bloomfield also visited the Cannons Creek Festival later in the day. The Event was organised by Afioga Tagaloa Dr Junior Ulu and his Staff from the Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs. There were also many volunteers – thank you.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps acknowledged with appreciation (on behalf of his own country Samoa as well as the 49 other countries with Missions in Wellington) the continued hard work of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Government to try and protect the ‘Team of 5 Million’ from the adverse effects of COVID-19. Leasi expressed his special thanks for the many opportunities available to the different ethnic communities, especially the nationals of the countries represented by the Diplomatic Corps. He also thanked all the kind people on the front line for their tireless work and dedication. In concluding, the Dean again urged all those who have not been vaccinated to please get vaccinated, if not for their own safety but for the safety of their families and especially the children who are too young to be vaccinated. The High Commissioner and Mrs Joyce Scanlan then went ‘door-knocking’ on several homes in Porirua to try and convince those who have not been vaccinated to come get their vaccines. Overall, it was a very successful Super Saturday Initiative as evidenced by the record number of people that received their vaccines on Saturday – a credit to all those who contributed one way or another. Malo lava.