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Story: Samoans

The songmaker’s chair

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The songmaker’s chair

Younger New Zealand Samoans sometimes have difficulty following the traditions of giving service, respect and love to their elders. Albert Wendt’s play The songmaker’s chair, which had very successful runs in 2003 and 2004, focuses on tensions in the relationship between a Samoan immigrant couple and their four children. The parents are played here by Aba Tuigamala and Nathaniel Lees.

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New Zealand Herald

Reference: 18 November 2003

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Lupematasila Melani Anae, Samoans – Culture and identity, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1576/the-songmakers-chair (accessed 23 June 2026).

Story by Lupematasila Melani Anae, published 4 March 2009, reviewed and revised 7 September 2022 with assistance from Lupematasila Melani Anae.