A Church Service, to commemorate the 59th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Samoa and to mark the Opening of the Samoa Language Week, was held at the EFKS Church in Porirua on Sunday 30th May 2021. The Service was organised by the Mafutaga Tu’ufa’atasi a Ekalesia i Ueligitone and was led by Rev Nove Vailaau (Ta’ita’ifono Mafutaga Porirua). The beautiful hymns were sung by the EFKS and Methodist Choirs from Porirua. The theme of the Samoan Language Week this year is “Poupou lou Lotoifale - Ola manuia le Anofale”, translated in English this means “Strengthen the posts of your house for all to thrive”. The programme started with the Procession Service of the flags of Samoa and New Zealand, followed by the singing of the Samoa National Anthem. At the end of the Service, the Samoa High Commissioner, H.E Leasi Papali’i T. Scanlan, was given the opportunity to address the large Congregation. In his address, the High Commissioner acknowledged the huge contributions of our Ancestors in making Samoa the proud, self-governing country that it is today. He referred to the theme of the Samoa Language week and the importance of raising our children in the proper Samoan culture and tradition so that when they grow up they would become the ‘Posts’ which their families rely on for the strength and security of their ‘Houses’ or ‘Families’. The New Zealand MP representing Porirua, Barbara Edmonds, delivered some remarks on behalf of the New Zealand Government followed by Le’ausalilo Auafa Dr. Sadat Muai’ava in his capacity as the President of the Fagasa in Wellington. The event was well attended by the Samoan community in Wellington. Last year, the Church Service was held thorugh zoom due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The High Commissioner was accompanied by staff of the Samoa High Commission.