The two met at Sapapali'i village (Savaii) in 1830 where Malietoa converted to the new religion.
Smith and Gaven Donne (1972–1974) ==Political history== ===Pre-European=== Until about 1860 Samoa operated under an indigenous political system, Fa'amatai, with no centralised government.
Previous chief justices have included Conrad Cedercrantz (appointed first Chief Justice in 1890), Henry Clay Ide (1893–1897), William Lea Chambers (1897–c.1900), W.L.
The court derives from the Native Land and Titles Court put in place under the German colonial administration in 1901.
The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. ==Executive branch== |O le Ao o le Malo |Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II |Independent |21 July 2017 |- |Prime Minister |Naomi Mataʻafa |FAST |24 May 2021 |} The 1960 Constitution, which formally came into force with independence, is based on the British Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, modified to take account of Samoan customs.
There were no political parties in these consensus-style parliaments of the 1960s and early 1970s.
Existing alongside the country's Western styled political system is the fa'amatai chiefly system of socio-political governance and organisation, central to understanding Samoa's political system. From the country's independence in 1962, only matai could vote and stand as candidates in elections to parliament.
There are more than 25,000 matai in the country, about 5% of whom are women. The third Tamaaiga id Tuimalealiifano was the deputy Head of State or a member of the Council of Deputies when Samoa gained its independence in 1962. ==Judicial system== The judicial system is based on English common law and local customs.
Fiame Mataafa Mulinuu II was re-elected as Prime Minister unopposed for most of the period between 1962 and 1975.
Malietoa Tanumafili II held the post of Head of State alone since the death of his colleague, Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, in 1963.
There were no political parties in these consensus-style parliaments of the 1960s and early 1970s.
In the 1970-73 parliament, the first woman speaker of the Fono was chosen - Leaupepe Faima'ala. However, rising competition and differences in views between MPs in the 1970s led to the establishment of the first political party - the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) in 1979.
Fiame Mataafa Mulinuu II was re-elected as Prime Minister unopposed for most of the period between 1962 and 1975.
The 1978 election was the first time a non-Tama-a-Aiga was chosen as Prime Minister.
In the 1970-73 parliament, the first woman speaker of the Fono was chosen - Leaupepe Faima'ala. However, rising competition and differences in views between MPs in the 1970s led to the establishment of the first political party - the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) in 1979.
The prime minister's preferred cabinet of 12 is appointed and sworn in by the head of state, subject to the continuing confidence of the Fono, which since the rise of political parties in Samoa in the 1980s, is controlled by the party with the majority of members in the Fono (the government). The unicameral legislature, named the Fono Aoao Faitulafono (National Legislative Assembly) contains 49 members serving five-year terms.
Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi eventually became Head of State in 2007 under his Tafaifa title TuiAtua and Tama-a-Aiga titles Tupua Tamasese. Since 1982, the majority party in the Fono has been the HRPP, save for a short period in 1985 when Vaai Kolone leading a coalition of parties won the election but had to resign as MPs crossed the floor to the HRPP.
HRPP leader Tofilau Eti Alesana served as prime minister for nearly all of the period between 1982 and 1998, when he resigned due to health reasons.
Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi eventually became Head of State in 2007 under his Tafaifa title TuiAtua and Tama-a-Aiga titles Tupua Tamasese. Since 1982, the majority party in the Fono has been the HRPP, save for a short period in 1985 when Vaai Kolone leading a coalition of parties won the election but had to resign as MPs crossed the floor to the HRPP.
In 1990, the voting system was changed by the Electoral Amendment Act which introduced universal suffrage.
At the local level, much of the country's civil and criminal matters are dealt with by some 360 village chief councils, Fono o Matai, according to traditional law, a practice further strengthened by the 1990 Village Fono Law. The national government (malo) generally controls the legislative assembly as it is formed from the party which controls the majority seats in the assembly.
Universal suffrage was extended in 1990, but only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Samoan seats.
HRPP leader Tofilau Eti Alesana served as prime minister for nearly all of the period between 1982 and 1998, when he resigned due to health reasons.
Tofilau Eti was replaced by his deputy, Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi. Parliamentary elections were held in March 2001.
Other political parties are the Samoa Party, the Christian Party, and the Samoa Progressive Political Party. The March 2006 elections were again won by the HRPP by an even larger margin than 2001.
They also ruled the calling of a new election unconstitutional, and that the April election results would stand. ==Political parties and elections== The Samoa Democratic United Party (formed after the 2001 elections) bringing together the Samoa National Development Party and the Samoa Independent Party) is led by the long serving Member of Parliament, Hon.
Other political parties are the Samoa Party, the Christian Party, and the Samoa Progressive Political Party. The March 2006 elections were again won by the HRPP by an even larger margin than 2001.
Tanumafili died in May 2007 and his successor, Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi was elected by the legislature for a five-year term in June 2007.
Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi eventually became Head of State in 2007 under his Tafaifa title TuiAtua and Tama-a-Aiga titles Tupua Tamasese. Since 1982, the majority party in the Fono has been the HRPP, save for a short period in 1985 when Vaai Kolone leading a coalition of parties won the election but had to resign as MPs crossed the floor to the HRPP.
The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. ==Executive branch== |O le Ao o le Malo |Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II |Independent |21 July 2017 |- |Prime Minister |Naomi Mataʻafa |FAST |24 May 2021 |} The 1960 Constitution, which formally came into force with independence, is based on the British Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, modified to take account of Samoan customs.
Therefore, there is no official opposition party recognised in the Samoan parliament at present. In 2020 proposed constitutional changes, including the removal of customary land courts from the oversight of the Supreme Court, generated significant opposition.
The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. ==Executive branch== |O le Ao o le Malo |Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II |Independent |21 July 2017 |- |Prime Minister |Naomi Mataʻafa |FAST |24 May 2021 |} The 1960 Constitution, which formally came into force with independence, is based on the British Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, modified to take account of Samoan customs.
During the April 2021 Samoan general election, FAST won 25 seats, equal to the number of seats retained by HRPP.
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