On Tuesday 15th August 2023, the Samoa High Commissioner, H.E. Afamasaga Faamatalaupu Toleafoa met with Green MP, Teanau Tuiono at the Samoa High Commission chancery to discuss and exchange views on Samoa-New Zealand relations such as labour mobility, trade and immigration. High Commissioner Afamasaga also shared his experience during his tenure as First Secretary in establishing the Samoa High Commission in Wellington and as Consul General in Auckland in the late 70s. The High Commissioner conveyed to Green MP his best wishes for the matter concerning the members bill and look forward to further developments on the matters discussed.
In Pasifika communities, Teanau is known for his work in the education sector and climate change advocacy, while in Māori communities he is known for his indigenous rights activism. He has a particular interest in working at the crossroads of indigenous rights and environmental issues, and has worked the United Nations, working to ensure the voices of remote indigenous communities on the frontlines of climate change and biodiversity loss were heard.
Teanau is the Green Party’s first MP with Cook Islands and Māori heritage, being Cook Islands Māori (Atiu – Ngati Ingatu, Ngati Toki, Ngati Paerangi) and New Zealand Māori (Te Uriroroi, Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Takoto), and is a List MP based in Palmerston North. (Source: Green MP website)