The Cabinet is the executive branch of the government of the Independent State of Samoa.

Per article 31(1) of the Constitution, executive power is vested in the Head 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 the Prime Minister and "not fewer than eight nor more than twelve other Members of Parliament", appointed by the Head of State on the advice of the Prime Minister.[1]

XVII Cabinet

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This Cabinet was appointed by Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa during the 2021 Samoan constitutional crisis following the April 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 moved Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo to the Women, Community and Social Development portfolio. She was replaced as Minister of Finance by Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai. Leota Laki Lamositele became Minister of Commerce, Industry of Labour, with Leatinuu Wayne So'oialo retaining only the public enterprises portfolio. Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell entered Cabinet as Minister for Sports & Recreation.[8]

Portfolio Minister Constituency Party
  • Prime Minister
  • Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Tourism
  • Samoa Public Commission
Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa Lotofaga FAST
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Customs and Revenue
Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio Gagaemauga No. 1 FAST
  • Agriculture and Fisheries
La'auli Leuatea Polataivao Gagaifomauga No. 3 FAST
  • Works, Transport and Infrastructure
Olo Fiti Vaai Salega No. 2 FAST
  • Public Enterprises
Faumuina Asi Pauli Wayne Fong Faleata No. 2 FAST
  • Women, Community and Social Development
Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo Palauli No. 1 FAST
  • Justice and Courts Administration
Matamua Vasati Pulufana Faasaleleaga No. 1 FAST
  • Police and Prisons
Lefau Harry Schuster Vaimauga No. 4 FAST
  • Natural Resources and Environment
Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster Aana Alofi No. 4 FAST
  • Health
Valasi Toogamaga Tafito Vaisigano No. 2 FAST
  • Education and Culture
Seuula Ioane Alataua Sisifo FAST
  • Communications and Information Technology
Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo Falealili No. 1 FAST
  • Commerce, Industry and Labour
Leota Laki Lamositele Palauli No. 2 FAST
  • Finance
Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai Vaimauga 3 FAST
  • Sports & Recreation
Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell Safata No. 2 FAST

XVI Cabinet

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This cabinet resulted from the March 2016 general election.

A cabinet reshuffle in April 2019 made the following ministerial changes:[9]

  • Dr Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama moves from the Minister of Health to the Minister for Women, Community and Social Development
  • Hon Faimalotoa Kika Stowers moves from the Minister for Women, Community and Social Development to the Minister of Health
Portfolio Minister Constituency Party
  • Prime Minister
  • Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Police
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Natural Resources and Environment
Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa Lotofaga HRPP
  • Commerce, Industry and Labour
  • Public Enterprises
Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell Satupaitea HRPP
  • Tourism
Sala Fata Pinati Gagaemauga No.1 HRPP
  • Women, Community and Social Development
Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama Aana Alofi No.1 East HRPP
  • Works, Transport and Infrastructure
Papaliitele Niko Lee Hang Urban East HRPP
  • Agriculture and Fisheries
Lopao'o Natanielu Mua Vaisigano No.1 HRPP
  • Finance
Sili Epa Tuioti Faasaleleaga No.1 East HRPP
  • Health
Faimalotoa Kika Stowers Gagaifomauga No.1 HRPP
  • Revenue
Tialavea Tionisio Hunt Vaa o Fonoti HRPP
  • Communications and Information Technology
Afamasaga Rico Tupai Aana Alofi No.3 HRPP
  • Education, Sports and Culture
Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio Sagaga le Falefa HRPP
  • Justice and Courts Administration
Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu Vaimauga Sisifo No.2 HRPP

[10][11]

XV Cabinet

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As of March 2011. This Cabinet results from the March 2011 general election, which saw the Human Rights Protection Party retain an absolute majority of seats in Parliament. Its term corresponds to that of the Fifteenth Parliament.[12] The minister's matai title precedes his or her name.[13]

In April 2014, Finance Minister Faumuina 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.[14][15]

Portfolio Minister Constituency Party
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Industry and Labour
Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo Anoama'a West HRPP
  • Women
  • Community and Social Development
Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua A'ana Alofi No. 2 HRPP
  • Police and Prisons
Sala Fata Pinati Gagaemauga No. 1 HRPP
  • Public Works, Transport
    and Infrastructure
Manu'alesagalala Enokati Posala Safata HRPP
  • Natural resources
    and Environment
Faamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii Gagaemauga No. 3 HRPP
  • Revenue
Tuiloma Pule Lameko Falealili HRPP
  • Health
Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama A'ana Alofi No. 1 HRPP
  • Communication, Information
    and Technology
Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau Vaimauga East HRPP
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Culture
Magele Mauiliu Magele Fa'asalele'aga No. 1 HRPP
  • Justice
  • Courts administration
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Lotofaga HRPP
  • Agriculture
  • Fisheries
Le Mamea Ropati Lefaga & Falese'ela HRPP
  • Finance
Faumuina Tiatia Liuga Palauli-Le-Falefa HRPP

XIV Cabinet

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This Cabinet resulted from the 2006 Samoan general election.[16]

Portfolio Minister Constituency Party
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Trade, Commerce, Industry and Labour
Misa Telefoni Retzlaff Falelatai & Samatau HRPP
  • Finance
Niko Lee Hang Individual Voters HRPP
  • Health
Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana-Gidlow Fa'asaleleaga No. 1 HRPP
  • Agriculture
Taua Kitiona Seuala Aleipata-Itupa-I-luga HRPP
  • Justice
Unasa Mesi Galo Fa'asalele'aga No. 3 HRPP
  • Police and Prisons
Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi Aana Alofi No. 1 West HRPP
  • Women and Youth Affairs
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Lotofaga HRPP
  • Communication, Information
    and Technology
Mulitalo Siafausa Vui Fa'asaleleaga No. 4 HRPP
  • Education
Toomata Alapati Poese Salega HRPP
  • Public Works
Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau Vaimauga East HRPP
  • Lands and Environment
Faumuina Tiatia Liuga Palauli-Le-Falefa HRPP
  • Revenue
Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota Si'umu HRPP

XIII Cabinet

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This Cabinet resulted from the 2001 Samoan general election.[17][18]

Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota was appointed Minister of Revenue and Ga'ina Tino was moved to Minister of Justice following the death of Seumanu Aita Ah Wa in January 2004.[19]

Portfolio Minister Constituency Party
Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Lepa HRPP
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Finance
Misa Telefoni Retzlaff Falelatai & Samatau HRPP
  • Education
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Lotofaga HRPP
  • Tourism, Trade, Commerce, Industry and Labour
Hans Joachim Keil III Individual Voters HRPP
  • Lands and Environment
Tuala Tagaloa Sale Kerslake Anoamaa West HRPP
  • Health
Mulitalo Siafausa Vui Fa'asaleleaga No. 4 HRPP
  • Transport
Palusalue Faʻapo II Safata HRPP
  • Women
Tuala Ainiu Iusitino Gaga'emauga No. 1 HRPP
  • Public Works
Faumuina Tiatia Liuga Palauli-Le-Falefa HRPP
  • Agriculture
Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau Vaimauga East HRPP
  • Sports, Youth and Culture
Ulu Vaomalo Kini Faleata West HRPP
  • Justice
Seumanu Aita Ah Wa Fa'asalele'aga No. 1 HRPP
  • Legislative Department & Audit (Revenue)
Ga'ina Tino Gaga'ifomauga No. 1 HRPP

References

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  1. ^ Constitution of Samoa Archived 2007-07-08 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  3. ^ Sapeer Mayron (24 May 2021). "Samoa election turmoil: Samoa's caretaker PM Tuilaepa gives blistering speech as FAST Party's Fiame Naomi Mata'afa sworn in as new PM". Stuff. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Samoa incumbent leader rejects first female Prime Minister's swearing in as 'treason'". RNZ. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  5. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  6. ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (3 June 2021). "Cabinet Minister-elect Toesulusulu resigns". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  7. ^ Talaia Mika (20 October 2021). "New Clerk of Parliament and Cabinet Minister sworn in". Talamua. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Samoa Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle: New Finance Minister and Two Additional Ministers". Samoa Global News. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Cabinet Ministers Swap Portfolios in a Reshuffle Announced by the PM". Samoa Global News. 2019-04-25. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  10. ^ "Members of the XVI Parliament". Parliament of Samoa. Archived from the original on 2019-08-18. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  11. ^ "Cabinet Ministers". Parliament of Samoa. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  12. ^ "Samoa: Composition du gouvernement", French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  13. ^ "MPS - 2011 to 2016" Archived March 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Office Of The Electoral Commissioner
  14. ^ "Samoa's PM new head of Finance Ministry", Radio New Zealand International, 26 April 2014
  15. ^ "Samoa Finance Minister resignation expected to mend party rift", Radio New Zealand International, 22 April 2014
  16. ^ "Five new faces in new Samoa cabinet". RNZ. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Misa becomes new Minister of Finance". Samoa Observer. 20 March 2001. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  18. ^ "SAMOA'S TUILAEPA SAYS HE'S SAD TO SEE TUIATUA STEP DOWN". Pacific Islands Report. 26 March 2001. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Samoa cabinet swears in new minister". RNZ. 20 February 2004. Retrieved 29 August 2021.