Eight Papuan students charged with treason for flying banned flag; Only vaccinated fans and players allowed at Fiji rugby 7s; Ructions within Samoa's HRPP party, and more.
A former Cabinet Minister in Samoa has called on the former prime minister and other opposition leaders to "hang up their boxing gloves", following the party's crushing electoral defeats.
A former Cabinet Minister in Samoa has called on the former prime minister and other opposition leaders to "hang up their boxing gloves", following the party's crushing electoral defeats.
General voting is underway across Samoa to decide who will govern the country for the next five years.
After four days of pre-polling, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) leads with 27 seats, Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) leads in 20 seats, and Tautua Samoa Party leads in one constituency.
There s a dead heat between HRPP and FAST in another constituency.
HRPP which has controlled Samoa for close to four decades, is facing its stiffest challenge yet from FAST.
Samoa Election office staff
Photo: RNZ Pacific/Tipi Autagavaia
Led by former HRPP deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, FAST looks set to cause major upsets.