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Story: Samoans

The Talamaivao family, 1991

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The Talamaivao family, 1991

The continuing importance of Samoan culture is expressed in the links between New Zealand Samoans and their aiga (family) back home. Here the Talamaivao family of Tawa, Wellington, stand before their bare Christmas tree in 1991. All their spare money was being sent to their families in Samoa. Standing at left is Ameto Talamaivao with his son Ameto, and (from left) Sa, twins Vaeoso and Vaelaa, Amsy and Vaipalolo.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PA-Group-00685)

Reference: EP-Ethnology-Polynesian-01

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, 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/1574/the-talamaivao-family-1991 (accessed 4 June 2026).

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