Former Samoan Prime Minister's Memorial Service

  • Jenny Shipley
Prime Minister

Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, several ministers, the Leader of the Opposition and other party representatives will attend the memorial service of former Samoan Prime Minister Hon Tofilau Eti Alesana in Apia tomorrow.

Tofilau is Lying in State at the Samoan Parliament.Mrs Shipley to pay her respects to Tofilau and lay a wreath at the foot of his casket at about 3.25pm Sunday, Samoan Time (2.25pm Monday, NZT).

The Prime Minister will then attend the official service for Tofilau at a Prayer House in Apia at 4.15pm (3.15pm NZT) where she will deliver a short eulogy.

The official Parliamentary party travelling to Apia for Tofilau's funeral service includes Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, Burton Shipley, Foreign Minister Don McKinnon, Maori Affairs Minister Tau Henare, Women's Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu, Labour Leader Helen Clark, National list MP Arthur Anae, Labour MP Taito Phillip Field, Alliance MP Matt Robson, ACT Leader Richard Prebble, NZ First MP Brian Donnelly, and Independent MP Alamein Kopu.

Please note Samoa is 23 hours behind New Zealand.