Samoa and New Zealand mark 60th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations.

The governments of Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand welcome 2022 commemorating the 60th year of formal diplomatic relations between our two countries.

This year 2022 also marks the 60th Anniversary of Samoas independence from Aotearoa New Zealand and the signing of the Treaty of Friendship. This special occasion will be celebrated with a number of events observing the warm relations that our two countries value and enjoy.

The treaty of Friendship was signed on 1 August 1962 and is representative of the unique relationship between Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand. It is an agreement that emphasises the closeness of the relationship and is underpinned by "friendship, confidence, and a mutual endeavour to obtain for their peoples fuller opportunities for social progress". The strong bonds are also reinforced by people-to-people relationships and the more than 180,000. New Zealanders of Samoan heritage.

The government of Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand attach great importance to shared history on which the relationship between the two countries was founded and develooped and look forward to further advancing this relationship into the future.