Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has emphasised and reminded Australia and New Zealand on the importance of the Pacific as family.

Fiame said if Australia and New Zealand were going to be family with the regional countries then they need to be family with them all the way.

“I was in New Zealand recently whereby I was interviewed by Maori Television, I was questioned about attending the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting,” he said

“I was asked whether I have often sat with my Pacific Island counterparts and looked over my shoulder to Australia and New Zealand.

“This is another thing, but I respect both countries. If we are going to be family, we have to be family all the way,” she said.

Speaking at the talanoa session on leadership and regionalism, she said the setting up of the Melanesian Spearhead Group causes drift among the Pacific family.

“By the way of demonstration, Samoa has always taken the position that we did not like how the Melanesian Spearhead group was set-up,” she said.

“Somehow the Polynesian felt like okay, well if they are going to do it, we might set up one as well.

“Once again on the social construct, if you are family, you are family. You will find some are much stronger but some are not as strong,” she said.

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