Legislative Assembly of Samoa

"Fono" redirects here. For other uses, see Fono (disambiguation).

Legislative Assembly of Samoa Fono Aoao Faitulafono a Samoa
18th Parliament
Type
Type	Unicameral
History
Founded	1 January 1962 (1962-01-01)
Leadership
O le Ao o le Malo	Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II since 21 July 2017
Speaker	Auapaʻau Mulipola Aloitafua,FAST since 16 September 2025
Deputy Speaker	Afamasaga Leone Mati,FAST since 16 September 2025
Prime Minister	Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt,FAST since 16 September 2025
Leader of the Opposition	Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, HRPP since 5 July 2023 [1]
Structure
Seats	51
Political groups	Government (31)   FAST (31) Official opposition (14)   HRPP (14) Others (6)   SUP (3)   Independents (3)
Length of term	Up to 5 years
Elections
Voting system	First-past-the-post
Last election	29 August 2025
Next election	By 2030
Meeting place
Maota, Tiafau, Apia [2]
Website
www.palemene.ws

The Legislative Assembly (Samoan : Fono Aoao Faitulafono a Samoa), also known as the Parliament of Samoa (Samoan : Palemene o Samoa), is the national legislature of Samoa, seated at Apia, where the country's central administration is situated. Samoan Parliament is composed of two parts: the O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) and the Legislative Assembly. The 18th Parliament was inaugurated on 16 September 2025. ^[3]

In the Samoan language, the Legislative Assembly of Samoa is sometimes referred to as the Samoan Fono while the government of the country is referred to as the Malo. The word fono is a Samoan and Polynesian term for councils or meetings great and small and applies to national assemblies and legislatures, as well as local village councils.

The modern government of Samoa exists on a national level alongside the country's fa'amatai indigenous chiefly system of governance and social organisation. ^[4] The O le Ao o le Malo can summon and call together the Legislative Assembly, and can prorogue or dissolve Parliament, in order to either end a parliamentary session or call a general election on behalf of the Prime Minister of Samoa.

History

Members of the First Legislative Assembly of Samoa under New Zealand administration, circa 1921.

The Samoan Fono is descended from the Western Samoan Legislative Assembly established under New Zealand rule in the early 1900s. On the country's political independence in 1962, the 5th Legislative Assembly became the 1st Western Samoan Parliament. ^[5]

Powers and procedures

The Samoan Constitution provides the Legislative Assembly to make laws for the whole or any part of Samoa and laws having effect outside as well as within Samoa. Any Member of Parliament may introduce any bill or propose any motion for debate in the Assembly or present any petition to the Assembly, and the same shall be considered and disposed of under the provisions of the Standing Orders.

Members of Parliament possess parliamentary privilege and immunities.

The Legislative Assembly can be dissolved or prorogue by the O le Ao o le Malo, with the advice of the Prime Minister.

Members of Parliament

Prior to a 2019 constitutional amendment, the Samoan Fono had 49 Members of Parliament. These were elected in six two-seat and 35 single-seat constituencies. Of these 49 seats, 47 were legally reserved for traditional heads of families ( matai) and two for special constituencies: These two seats were first reserved for Samoan citizens descended from non-Samoans (so-called 'individual constituencies') and elected on a non-territorial basis until the 2015 constitutional amendment after which these were replaced with specific 'urban constituencies'. ^[6] These 'urban constituencies' were only in place for the 2016 general election and were then abolished by the 2019 amendment ahead of the next general election. Following this amendment, each electoral constituency elects one member, totalling 51 members of parliament. ^{[7] [8]}

An extra Member of Parliament was added after the 2016 election in order to meet the quota of 10% female MPs. ^[9]

Members of Parliament in Samoa are directly elected by universal suffrage, and serve a five-year term.

Head of State

Main article: O le Ao o le Malo

The ceremonial Head of State or O le Ao o le Malo is elected for a five-year term by the Fono. O le Ao o le Malo is limited to a maximum of 2 terms.

Elections

Elections are held under a simple plurality system. Samoan electors are divided into 51 single member constituencies. Electors must be Samoan citizens and aged over 21. ^[10] Candidates must be qualified as electors, and are required hold a matai title. ^[11]

Last election results

Main article: 2025 Samoan general election

The official vote count was completed on 4 September. FAST secured a majority of seats, winning 30, while the HRPP won 14. The SUP won three seats, while independents secured four. ^[12] Most of Mata‘afa's cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, lost their seats. ^[13] Parliamentary Speaker Papaliʻi Liʻo Taeu Masipau of FAST also lost re-election. ^[14] Five women won seats, one short of the six required to fulfil the female quota. The electoral commissioner announced that an additional female member would not be appointed to parliament until after the conclusion of post-election legal challenges. ^[15]

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi	36,708	40.86	30	+5
	Human Rights Protection Party	33,040	36.78	14	–11
	Samoa Uniting Party	7,746	8.62	3	New
	Samoa Labour Party	1,042	1.16	0	New
	Tumua ma Pule Reform Republican Party	42	0.05	0	New
	Constitution Democracy Republic Party	25	0.03	0	New
	Independents	11,232	12.50	4	+3
Total		89,835	100.00	51	0
Valid votes		89,835	99.37
Invalid/blank votes		568	0.63
Total votes		90,403	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		101,981	88.65
Source: OEC, OEC, OEC, Samoa Observer (seats)

By constituency

Constituency	Turnout	Political party		Candidate	Votes	%
Aʻana Alofi 1	1,976		FAST	Fesolai Apulu Tuigamala	932	47.17
			Independent	Taueva Faʻafouina Mupo	473	23.94
			HRPP	Ufagalilo Faʻamanu Mualia	397	20.09
			Independent	Fesolai Suafoa Apulu	131	6.63
			Independent	Leaupepetele Filipo Leaupepe	43	2.18
Aʻana Alofi 2	1,207		FAST	Aiono Alec Ekeroma	547	45.32
			HRPP	Aiono Tile Gafa	473	39.19
			FAST	Ape Leulumoega Sofara	109	9.03
			Independent	Aiono Meapelo Frost	78	6.46
Aʻana Alofi 3	1,675		FAST	Agaseata Valelio Tanuvasa	896	53.49
			HRPP	Niuapu Faʻaui II Leiataualesa	473	28.24
			Independent	Masinamua Maselusi Pisia Ah Poe	153	9.13
			SUP	Ili Tanuvasa Pelesasa Tanuvasa	82	4.90
			Independent	Sinaifoa Vaimoana Soʻoaemalelagi	71	4.24
Aʻana Alofi 4	2,403		FAST	Afamasaga Leone Masame	848	35.29
			HRPP	Sevealiʻi Taulalo Sevealiʻi	602	25.05
			SUP	Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster	454	18.89
			Independent	Tagoiaega Maotua Puipui	434	18.06
			Independent	Lasei Sione Lasei	65	2.70
Aiga-i-le-Tai	2,827		FAST	Auapaʻau Mulipola Aloitafua	1,169	41.35
			HRPP	Mulipola Leiataualetua Laki	1,103	39.03
			Independent	Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt	280	9.90
			Independent	Seʻulu Iloa Togia	153	5.41
			Independent	Levaʻa Samoa James Utuva	122	4.32
Alataua Sisifo	999		FAST	Taituave Lafaitele Valoaga Iona	522	52.25
			HRPP	Aliʻimalemanu Alofa Tuuau	477	47.75
Aleipata Itupa-I-Lalo	2,021		SUP	Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua	663	32.81
			HRPP	Taiao Tautunu Aumualesigano	537	26.57
			FAST	Vaotogo Rodney Chang Tamasese	509	25.19
			HRPP	Faʻagasealiʻi Sapoa Feagiai	312	15.44
Aleiptata Itupa-I-Luga	774		FAST	Taufua Edmund Taufua	346	44.70
			Independent	Alailesulu Faʻapalo Toʻomalatai	218	28.17
			HRPP	Fuaʻava Amataga Penaia	210	27.13
Anoamaʻa 1	2,490		FAST	Moefaʻauouo Julius Tafunai	1,235	49.60
			HRPP	Alaiasa Sepulona Moananu	1,213	48.71
			TPRRP	Molioʻo Pio Molioʻo	42	1.69
Anoamaʻa 2	2,417		HRPP	Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo	1,214	50.23
			FAST	Leiu Ioane Sio	899	37.19
			FAST	Toʻomata Norah Leota	195	8.07
			SUP	Taiatu Asi Sasa Milo	109	4.51
Faʻasaleleʻaga 1	1,968		FAST	Leatigaga Matāfai Iiga	866	44.00
			HRPP	Pipi Tariu Sinapati	725	36.84
			FAST	Seumanu Faimata Suʻa	233	11.83
			SUP	Matamua Vasati Pulufana	144	7.32
Faʻasaleleʻaga 2	1,869		HRPP	Vaʻaelua Sentenari Samau	678	36.28
			FAST	Magele Sekati Fiaui	610	32.64
			Independent	Talouli Iosefa Talouli	319	17.07
			HRPP	Magele Tusigaigoa Simaika	196	10.49
			Independent	Malu Saletolo Vaʻaelua	66	3.53
Faʻasaleleʻaga 3	1,812		HRPP	Namulauʻulu Sami Leota	1,023	56.46
			FAST	Papaliʻi Liʻo Taeu Masipau	789	43.54
Faʻasaleleʻaga 4	1,443		FAST	Tea Tooala Peato	796	55.16
			HRPP	Tofa Foleni Lio	335	23.22
			Independent	Talatau Lisale Tuioti	312	21.62
Faʻasaleleʻaga 5	932		FAST	Vui Iiga Sione Iiga	468	50.21
			HRPP	Peseta Vaifou Tevaga	388	41.63
			Independent	Vui Ana Nora Ah Him	76	8.15
Falealili 1	1,787		FAST	Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo	941	52.66
			HRPP	Tuiloma Laniselota Lameko	617	34.53
			SUP	Tumanuvao Pualele Fui	152	8.51
			Independent	Siʻa Alec Leaupepe Latu	77	4.31
Falealili 2	890		FAST	Maiava Fuimaono Asafo	299	33.60
			Independent	Fuimaono Maria Meredith	276	31.03
			Independent	Fuimaono Atanoa Alex Wright	194	21.80
			Independent	Tauaefa Autalavou Tauaefa	119	13.37
			SLP	Alaifea Laititi Belford	2	0.22
Falealupo	801		HRPP	Leota Tima Leavai	379	47.32
			FAST	Seufata Eteuati Sulutolu	297	37.08
			FAST	Tuimaseve Poto Fiu	125	15.61
Faleata 1	4,722		HRPP	Faumuina Opapo Oeti	1,466	31.05
			HRPP	Manuleleua Sonny Lameta	1,427	30.22
			FAST	Manuleleua Paletasala Tovale	1,423	30.14
			Independent	Tomaʻagauaune Mikaele Une	406	8.06
Faleata 3	2,568		HRPP	Lealaʻilepule Rimoni Aiafi	1,476	57.48
			FAST	Paloa Louis James Stowers	1,092	42.52
Faleata 4	2,047		FAST	Ale Vena Ale	1,226	59.89
			HRPP	Pepe Christian Fruean	672	32.83
			SUP	Mapu Tafaigata Toilolo	149	7.28
Falelatai and Samatau	1,687		HRPP	Lupematasila Tologata Tile Leia	874	51.81
			FAST	Teleiai Christian Ausage	667	39.54
			SUP	Faʻalavaʻau Fasitau Ula	146	8.65
Gagaʻemauga 1	1,223		FAST	Vaʻaaoao Salumalo Alofipo	483	39.49
			SUP	Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio	312	25.51
			Independent	Lauano Mulivai Lauano	236	19.30
			HRPP	Tevaga Mikaele Ah Lam	192	15.70
Gagaʻemauga 2	1,120		FAST	Seuamuli Fasi Toma	606	54.11
			Independent	Valu Talaimanu Keti	310	27.68
			HRPP	Galuvao Valma Galuvao	240	18.21
Gagaʻifomauga 1	947		FAST	Lavea Solomona Paulo	383	40.44
			HRPP	Timu Iakopo Timu	287	30.31
			Independent	Lavea Iulai Lavea Loia	214	22.60
			HRPP	Tumele Toefuataina Lele-Schmidt	63	6.65
Gagaʻifomauga 2	1,460		FAST	Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane	334	22.88
			Independent	Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua	310	21.23
			HRPP	Tologataua Sioeli Lamese	303	20.75
			SLP	Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene	222	15.21
			SUP	Soʻoalo Kuresa Soʻoalo	171	11.71
			HRPP	Tagaloa Mark Huch	120	8.22
Gagaʻifomauga 3	967		FAST	Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt	869	89.87
			HRPP	Faʻaulusau Rosa Duffy-Stowers	98	10.13
Lefaga and Faleaseʻela	2,089		FAST	Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe	891	42.65
			HRPP	Suafaiga John Pasina	589	28.20
			SUP	Tusanilefaiaʻao Luasamotu Nuʻusa	262	12.54
			SLP	Suʻa Tanielu Suʻa	234	11.20
			HRPP	Masinalupe Tusipa Masinalupe	113	5.41
Lepā	791		HRPP	Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi	685	86.60
			FAST	Tupua John Tupua	106	13.40
Lotofaga	959		SUP	Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa	486	50.68
			FAST	Fuimapoao Beth Onesemo	247	25.76
			FAST	Fiaola Iosua Lole	226	23.57
Palauli 1	1,668		FAST	Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo	725	43.47
			Independent	Lealofi Lolopo Gafo	432	25.90
			HRPP	Fuli Pisa Mulipola	313	18.76
			Independent	Tupai Avala Savaiʻinaea	198	11.87
Palauli 2	1,740		Independent	Fiu Ponifasio Vasa	634	36.35
			Independent	Faʻaolatane Iona Pao	632	36.24
			FAST	Leota Laki Lamositele	252	14.55
			Independent	Tiatia Faleupolu Tevita	156	8.94
			HRPP	Faʻasuaiau Asiata Tanielu	55	3.15
			SUP	Tuisata Hay Kalapu	15	0.86
Palauli 3	1,391		FAST	Aiolupotea Misa Tony Aiolupo	811	58.90
			HRPP	Leituala Benhur Matalavea	505	36.30
			SUP	Lagaʻaia Tiatuau Tufuga	75	5.39
Safata 1	1,961		FAST	Seve Teʻi Fuimaono	949	48.39
			HRPP	Leaʻana Ronnie Posini	807	41.15
			SUP	Fepuleai Samuelu Taufao	205	10.45
Safata 2	1,593		HRPP	Tuia Fuatogi Puʻa Letoa	650	40.80
			FAST	Tupai Saimasi John Matthes	628	39.42
			SUP	Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell	287	18.02
			SLP	Toleafoa Losalia Niumata	28	1.76
Sagaga 1	2,702		HRPP	Loau Keneti Sio	1,629	60.29
			FAST	Samaina Kirisome Taulapapa	1,073	39.71
Sagaga 2	2,967		FAST	Fata Ryan Schuster	1,297	43.71
			HRPP	Maualaivao Seiuli Pepe Seiuli	899	30.30
			SUP	Maulolo Tavita Amosa	727	24.50
			Independent	Tupualiʻi Faʻalili Saena Seuai	44	1.48
Sagaga 3	2,509		FAST	Sala Paulo Tuala Poto	939	37.43
			HRPP	Tuala Olivetti Ah Him	917	36.55
			SLP	Tuala Teleʻa Liliʻi	535	21.32
			Independent	Sala Vaimili II	118	4.70
Sagaga 4	2,502		HRPP	Lefue Pelenise Lelevaga	1,048	41.89
			Independent	Patea Tuisa Tasi	540	21.58
			FAST	Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa	476	19.02
			SUP	Mataʻafa Saeni Leatupuʻe	434	17.35
			Independent	Tumua Kelemete Vitale	4	0.16
Salega 1	1,037		FAST	Tilafono David Hunter	473	45.61
			HRPP	Selu Letoa Reupena Selu	406	39.15
			Independent	Falesiʻi Aisa Autagavaia	177	23.23
Salega 2	762		FAST	Leilua Sagato Karene	342	44.88
			SUP	Olo Fiti Vaai	243	31.09
			HRPP	Maeʻe Ualesi Silva	177	23.23
Satupaʻitea	1,120		FAST	Asiata Salevao Leaoa	476	42.50
			HRPP	Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell	375	33.48
			FAST	Asiata Tuasivi Setu	269	24.02
Siʻumu	1,341		Independent	Faʻalogo Kapeliele II Faʻalogo	492	36.69
			FAST	Tuʻuʻu Anasiʻi Leota	456	34.00
			HRPP	Faiva Lokeuaina Luamanuvae	335	24.98
			SUP	Tuʻuʻu Ekiumeni Fauolo	39	2.91
			Independent	Tofaeono Salamasina Tofacono	19	1.42
Vaʻa-o-Fonoti	960		Independent	Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai	547	56.98
			FAST	Fuimaono Vaitolo Ofoia	267	27.81
			HRPP	Leausa Take Naseri	121	12.60
			CDRP	Taumainamoe Aufui Brown	25	2.60
Vaimauga 1	3,659		FAST	Pauga Talalelei Pauga	1,231	33.64
			HRPP	Sulamanaia Tauiliili Tuivasa	1,096	29.95
			SUP	Fataʻaliʻi Milovale Moke	786	21.48
			Independent	Safai Iosua Selesele	546	14.92
Vaimauga 2	2,314		HRPP	Lenatai Victor Tamapua	1,341	57.95
			FAST	Tamaleta Taimung Jensen	886	38.29
			Independent	Niuafolau Fauolegogo Tanielu	87	3.76
Vaimauga 3	4,005		HRPP	Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu	1,465	36.58
			SUP	Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai	1,339	33.43
			FAST	Nonu Laulu William Mauia	1,096	27.37
			Independent	Siligatusa Alosina Ropati	105	2.62
Vaimauga 4	2,602		HRPP	Lima Graeme Tualaulelei	1,137	43.70
			FAST	Tonuʻu Fuamoli Misi	949	36.47
			Independent	Vaea Ivana Eli	322	12.38
			SUP	Lefau Harry Schuster	173	6.65
			SLP	Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu	21	0.81
Vaisigano 1	1,148		FAST	Amituanaʻi Tautofi Roma	570	49.65
			Independent	Masoe Matemini Taulafo	420	36.59
			SUP	Niuava Eti Malolo	158	13.76
Vaisigano 2	979		Independent	Motuopuaʻa Henny Papaliʻi	409	41.78
			FAST	Tagaloa Tupou Afa	193	19.71
			FAST	Sua Faʻavae Timoteo	166	16.96
			SUP	Valasi Toogamaga Tafito	135	13.79
			HRPP	Alopopo Siafausa Matafeo	76	7.76

Uncontested

One candidate was elected unopposed: ^[16]

Constituency	Candidate	Party
Faleata 2	Leatinuʻu Wayne Soʻoialo	SUP

Terms of parliament

The Legislative Assembly is currently in its 17th session, its convention did not occur until several months after the 2021 Samoan general election was held, due to the 2021 Samoan constitutional crisis. The 17th parliament convened for the first time on 14 September 2021. ^[17]

Term	Elected in	Government
1st Legislative Assembly	1948 election	United Citizens Party
2nd Legislative Assembly	1951 election	No parties
3rd Legislative Assembly	1954 election
4th Legislative Assembly	1957 election
5th Legislative Assembly / 1st Parliament	1961 election
2nd Parliament	1964 election
3rd Parliament	1967 election
4th Parliament	1970 election
5th Parliament	1973 election
6th Parliament	1976 election
7th Parliament	1979 election
8th Parliament	1982 election	Human Rights Protection Party
9th Parliament	1985 election	Human Rights Protection Party / Christian Democratic Party
10th Parliament	1988 election	Human Rights Protection Party
11th Parliament	1991 election
12th Parliament	1996 election
13th Parliament	2001 election
14th Parliament	2006 election
15th Parliament	2011 election
16th Parliament	2016 election
17th Parliament	2021 election	Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi
18th Parliament	2025 election

Building

Main article: Architecture of Samoa

The Fono is housed in a beehive-shaped building based on the traditional Samoan fale.

See also

• Electoral Constituencies of Samoa
• List of speakers of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa
• Politics of Samoa
• List of legislatures by country

References

1. Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (5 July 2023). "Speaker to recognise Tuilaepa as Opposition Leader" . Samoa Observer. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
2. "Legislative Assembly of Samoa" (PDF). Office of the Clerk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2017.
3. Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (16 September 2025). "Laaulialemalietoa sworn in as new Prime Minister". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
4. Fana'afi Le Tagaloa, Aiono (1986). Land rights of Pacific women. University of the South Pacific;Institute of Pacific Studies. p. 103. ISBN   982-02-0012-1.
5. Parliament of Samoa: general information Archived 24 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
6. "Constitution Amendment 2015 (English)" (PDF). Parliament of Samoa . 3 June 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
7. "Constitution Amendment Act (No. 3)" (PDF). Parliament of Samoa . 31 January 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
8. "Samoa to bring about changes to parliament". RNZ . 30 January 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
9. "Fa'aulusau Rosa Duffy-Stowers secures 5th Parliamentary seat for women". Talamua Online. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
10. Electoral Act 1963, s16 Archived March 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
11. Electoral Act 1963, s5 Archived 2 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
12. Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (4 September 2025). "Official count ends, FAST takes 30 seats". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
13. "Ten caretaker ministers lose seats". Samoa Observer. 30 August 2025. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
14. Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (30 August 2025). "Speaker loses seat in preliminary count". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
15. Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai (4 September 2025). "Samoa general election: Final vote count completed, official results tomorrow". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
17. "Parliament to meet on 14 September: Fiame". Samoa Observer. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.

External links

• Official website