Office of Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific pays tribute to distinguished Sāmoan leader
19 April 2024
Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau pays tribute to renowned educator and Sāmoan leader Melegalenu’u To’alepaiali’i Ah Sam who passed away on 15 April 2024.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, is paying tribute to Fuatino Melegalenu'u To’alepaiali’i Ah Sam (MNZM).
Ah-Sam, acting principal of Māngere College, was also the lead coordinator for the Polyfest Sāmoan Stage for more than 30 years and was well-known by the thousands of youth who have performed at the festival over the decades.
A dear friend of the University, she was a frequent visitor to the Fale Pasifika and Waipapa Marae for community engagements in her roles as a principal and her long-standing relationship with the University, through its sponsorship of the Sāmoan Stage.
The 75-year-old also taught and mentored a number of University students and staff. Ah Sam is also the mother of professional teaching fellow in mathematics at the University, Josephina Ah Sam-Tamatoa.
A woman of stature, a fighter for good, a defender of Gagana Sāmoa (Sāmoan language), a holder of traditions and sacred knowledge, one of Oceania’s prolific educators, and a heart and love for our youth - our future.
Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau says the Pacific leader was known affectionately as the ‘Queen of Māngere’.
“Melegalenu’u To’alepaiali’i Ah Sam was irreplaceable in every way imaginable. She was a woman of stature, a fighter for good, a defender of Gagana Sāmoa (Sāmoan language), a holder of traditions and sacred knowledge, one of Oceania’s prolific educators, and a heart and love for our youth – our future.
"A Sāmoan proverb comes to mind that embodies the person she was - Tautua nei mo se manuia taeao (serve now, for a better tomorrow)..
"Our Waipapa Taumata Rau family have benefited from her wisdom, her generosity, and her alofa for generations to come.
Mālo le tautua matavela, lau afioga le masiofo o Magele (Thank you for your commitment to serve, the Queen of Mangere).”
A contingency from the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific visited the Ah Sam family home to pay their respects and acknowledge the enormous contribution she had made.
In 2022, Ah Sam was recognised as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Pacific language education. She was also a deacon of the EFKS New Vision Church and served as the treasurer for many years.
Several memorial events have been held this week, ahead of Ah Sam being flown home to Sāmoa at the weekend with her family. A final service will be held on Monday 22 April at EFKS Vaimoso, before burial at the nearby family cemetery.