15 May 2007

NZ PM to attend Malietoa funeral in Samoa

1:09 pm on 15 May 2007

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, will attend the state funeral of the late head of state of Samoa, his Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II.

The state funeral of Malietoa, who died after 45 years in office, will take place at the end of this week.

As part of the funeral, Malietoa will lie in state within parliament's grounds.

The Auckland Samoa Advisory Council will hold its memorial service on Friday and others are expected around the country.

Mr Puni says Malietoa's long service has endeared him to many of the 131,000 Samoan New Zealanders who retain a strong interest in Samoa.