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Administrative divisions |
TheCabinet is theexecutive branch of thegovernment of theIndependent State of Samoa.
Per article 31(1) of theConstitution, executive power is vested in theHead of State. Per article 26(1), however, "the Head of State in the performance of his functions shall act on the advice of Cabinet, the Prime Minister or the appropriate Minister, as the case may be". Article 32(1) provides that the Cabinet "shall have the general direction and control of the executive government" of Samoa.
The Cabinet is composed, per article 32(2), of thePrime Minister and "not fewer than eight nor more than twelve otherMembers of Parliament", appointed by the Head of State on the advice of the Prime Minister.[1]
This Cabinet was appointed byFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa during the2021 Samoan constitutional crisis following theApril 2021 Samoan general election.[2] The previous cabinet purported to continue in a caretaker role.[3][4] On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[5]
Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster resigned on 3 June 2021 after being arrested for drink-driving.[6] He returned to Cabinet on 20 October 2021, with the addition of the Tourism portfolio.[7]
A cabinet reshuffle in September 2023 movedMulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo to the Women, Community and Social Development portfolio. She was replaced as Minister of Finance byLautimuia Uelese Vaʻai.Leota Laki Lamositele became Minister of Commerce, Industry of Labour, withLeatinuu Wayne So'oialo retaining only the public enterprises portfolio.Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell entered Cabinet as Minister for Sports & Recreation.[8]
In January 2025Laʻauli Leuatea Polataivao was charged with ten criminal offences. After refusing to resign, he was sacked from Cabinet on 10 January.[9][10] Three other ministers were subsequently sacked.[11][12] On 15 JanuaryTitimaea Tafua,Lagaaia Tiatuau Tufuga,Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai, andNiuava Eti Malolo were appointed as replacements.[13]
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa | Lotofaga | FAST | |
| Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio | Gagaemauga No. 1 | FAST | |
| La'auli Leuatea Polataivao | Gagaifomauga No. 3 | FAST | |
| Olo Fiti Vaai | Salega No. 2 | FAST | |
| Faumuina Asi Pauli Wayne Fong | Faleata No. 2 | FAST | |
| Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo | Palauli No. 1 | FAST | |
| Matamua Vasati Pulufana | Faasaleleaga No. 1 | FAST | |
| Lefau Harry Schuster | Vaimauga No. 4 | FAST | |
| Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster | Aana Alofi No. 4 | FAST | |
| Valasi Toogamaga Tafito | Vaisigano No. 2 | FAST | |
| Seuula Ioane | Alataua Sisifo | FAST | |
| Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo | Falealili No. 1 | FAST | |
| Leota Laki Lamositele | Palauli No. 2 | FAST | |
| Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai | Vaimauga 3 | FAST | |
| Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell | Safata No. 2 | FAST |
This cabinet resulted from theMarch 2016 general election.
A cabinet reshuffle in April 2019 made the following ministerial changes:[14]
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi | Lepa | HRPP | |
| Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa | Lotofaga | HRPP | |
| Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell | Satupaitea | HRPP | |
| Sala Fata Pinati | Gagaemauga No.1 | HRPP | |
| Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama | Aana Alofi No.1 East | HRPP | |
| PapaliiteleNiko Lee Hang | Urban East | HRPP | |
| Lopao'o Natanielu Mua | Vaisigano No.1 | HRPP | |
| Sili Epa Tuioti | Faasaleleaga No.1 East | HRPP | |
| Faimalotoa Kika Stowers | Gagaifomauga No.1 | HRPP | |
| Tialavea Tionisio Hunt | Vaa o Fonoti | HRPP | |
| Afamasaga Rico Tupai | Aana Alofi No.3 | HRPP | |
| Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio | Sagaga le Falefa | HRPP | |
| Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu | Vaimauga Sisifo No.2 | HRPP |
As of March 2011. This Cabinet results from theMarch 2011 general election, which saw theHuman Rights Protection Party retain an absolute majority of seats in Parliament. Its term corresponds to that of theFifteenth Parliament.[17] The minister'smatai title precedes his or her name.[18]
In April 2014, Finance MinisterFaumuina Tiatia Liuga resigned, after some twenty years in Cabinet, following "allegations of abuse in the performance of his ministerial duties". Prime Minister Malielegaoi took over the Finance portfolio himself.[19][20]
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi | Lepa | HRPP | |
| Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo | Anoama'a West | HRPP | |
| Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua | A'ana Alofi No. 2 | HRPP | |
| Sala Fata Pinati | Gagaemauga No. 1 | HRPP | |
| Manu'alesagalala Enokati Posala | Safata | HRPP | |
| Faamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii | Gagaemauga No. 3 | HRPP | |
| Tuiloma Pule Lameko | Falealili | HRPP | |
| Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama | A'ana Alofi No. 1 | HRPP | |
| Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau | Vaimauga East | HRPP | |
| Magele Mauiliu Magele | Fa'asalele'aga No. 1 | HRPP | |
| Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa | Lotofaga | HRPP | |
| Le Mamea Ropati | Lefaga & Falese'ela | HRPP | |
| Faumuina Tiatia Liuga | Palauli-Le-Falefa | HRPP |
This Cabinet resulted from the2006 Samoan general election.[21]
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi | Lepa | HRPP | |
| Misa Telefoni Retzlaff | Falelatai & Samatau | HRPP | |
| Niko Lee Hang | Individual Voters | HRPP | |
| Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana-Gidlow | Fa'asaleleaga No. 1 | HRPP | |
| Taua Kitiona Seuala | Aleipata-Itupa-I-luga | HRPP | |
| Unasa Mesi Galo | Fa'asalele'aga No. 3 | HRPP | |
| Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi | Aana Alofi No. 1 West | HRPP | |
| Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa | Lotofaga | HRPP | |
| Mulitalo Siafausa Vui | Fa'asaleleaga No. 4 | HRPP | |
| Toomata Alapati Poese | Salega | HRPP | |
| Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau | Vaimauga East | HRPP | |
| Faumuina Tiatia Liuga | Palauli-Le-Falefa | HRPP | |
| Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota | Si'umu | HRPP |
This Cabinet resulted from the2001 Samoan general election.[22][23]
Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota was appointed Minister of Revenue andGa'ina Tino was moved to Minister of Justice following the death ofSeumanu Aita Ah Wa in January 2004.[24]
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi | Lepa | HRPP | |
| Misa Telefoni Retzlaff | Falelatai & Samatau | HRPP | |
| Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa | Lotofaga | HRPP | |
| Hans Joachim Keil III | Individual Voters | HRPP | |
| Tuala Tagaloa Sale Kerslake | Anoamaa West | HRPP | |
| Mulitalo Siafausa Vui | Fa'asaleleaga No. 4 | HRPP | |
| Palusalue Faʻapo II | Safata | HRPP | |
| Tuala Ainiu Iusitino | Gaga'emauga No. 1 | HRPP | |
| Faumuina Tiatia Liuga | Palauli-Le-Falefa | HRPP | |
| Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau | Vaimauga East | HRPP | |
| Ulu Vaomalo Kini | Faleata West | HRPP | |
| Seumanu Aita Ah Wa | Fa'asalele'aga No. 1 | HRPP | |
| Ga'ina Tino | Gaga'ifomauga No. 1 | HRPP |