Samoa's former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has accused New Zealand of drawing more attention towards "geopolitical issues to satisfy its ego for cheap popularity".
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recently visited Samoa as part of the country's 60th anniversary celebrations.
NZ PM Jacinda Ardern and then Samoa PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi on Ardern's first Pacific trip Photo: Pacific Media Network
During the trip Ardern announced that New Zealand would provide $15 million to support Samoa with its climate change priorities, and a further $12 million to rebuild Apia's Savalalo Market, which was destroyed by a fire in 2016.
In an open letter Tuilaepa commended Jacinda Adern's visit to Samoa to commemorate 60 years of the Friendship Treaty, but he wrote that "this event provides an opportunity for the leaders of both countries to read the treaty and understand its significance".
"Prime Minister Adern acknowledged in her address at Vailima that it is the only Treaty ever signed by New Zealand.
"It signifies the special relationship that must be honoured by deeds and not by just mere words.
"Alongside the sudden rush by other powers to set up embassies in the Pacific Islands after years of neglect and empty promises, there is a real concern that Samoa is being hoodwinked by the Labour Government leadership via the goodwill shown in mere patting one another on the shoulder amidst Kiwi wine and singing Me He Manu Rere."
Claim that scholarships and visa agreement breached
The leader of the Opposition said scholarships to New Zealand have been slashed.
"The 1,100 annual quota conditions of migrating to New Zealand established by protocol and signed by the HRPP Government in 1982 have been constantly breached, the visitors' visas for urgent family visits are required now to apply online, although well over 95 percent of our village people are unable to use these communication systems.
"The list goes on."
He pointed out a press release in New Zealand following the visitors' return to Aotearoa which disclosed that the Wellington Government has agreed to fund the replacement flea market in Apia.
"The truth is, the market was already rebuilt immediately after the fire. A big building for a food court was completed with portable tents put up for other products for sale."
"When the New Zealand Government offered to fund the flea market on the same site several years ago, we requested to put it up on a 10 acre reclaimed land nearby instead. The old site is ideal for another multi-storey building for both public and business office spaces."
On her trip Ardern said the request for the money came from Samoa's government, which would fund the rebuild in partnership with New Zealand.
"Our economy is rapidly growing since we graduated into a middle income country," added Tuilaepa.
"And with many vehicles imported annually since we switched to driving on the left side of the road in 2009, road congestion has worsened and this is an added factor in the relocation counter proposal.
"It is not too late to reconsider the earlier proposal."
He concluded that relations between Samoa and New Zealand as friends should be on a two-way traffic as envisaged in the 60-year-old Treaty between Samoa and New Zealand.
The aftermath of the fire that destroyed the Savalalo Market in 2016 Photo: Peta Siulepa