By Michael Morrah
The Government has put $5 million towards improving education in Samoa as part of a gift to mark 50 years of friendship.
New Zealand signed a treaty of friendship in 1962 when Samoa gained independence, but despite the close relationship Samoa’s prime minister says China remains a more flexible partner.
John Key is considered a chief in the tiny village of Poutasi and he was welcomed in a ceremony befitting such a title.
“Its lovely to have that traditional ceremony and to thank them and to express our good will,” says Mr Key.
New Zealand aid money was used to build a community hall after the tsunami destroyed much of the village, and New Zealand spends $23 million on development projects in Samoa annually, a fraction of the sum that China forks out.
Samoa’s prime minister says China is more flexible in the way it gives money - it has already agreed to requests for the cash to build government buildings.
“If we don't approach them they won’t give us anything, this building at the time cost about $30 million,” says Samoan Prime Pinister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi.
But there's concern at the level of Chinese influence in Samoa and what it means for future generations.
“My concern is the ownership of land, everything else is fine they can bring all the money in here, lease the land, build hotels, but let’s protect the land for the people of tomorrow because it’s a limited amount,” says New Zealand/Samoa citizen’s rights advocate Arthur Anae.
Mr Key doesn’t think China's presence here diminishes New Zealand’s importance, he says we have a rich history and that will continue for the next 50 years.
The Samoan government also hopes its relationship with New Zealand will lead to trades people from Samoa being used in the Christchurch rebuild.
Mr Key says the extra workers may be useful and it hadn't been ruled out.
3 News