This Press Release clarifies the new requirements for the bestowal of matai titles under
the Land and Titles Act 2020 (“LTA”), and more specifically Part 4 – Matai Titles.
1. The new requirements for the bestowal of a matai title are set out under sections 13 and 15 of
the LTA, respectively. It is important to note that these requirements are put in place to
safeguard the integrity of the matai system and have been revised following the public
consultations that have been undertaken on the 3 Bills; the Constitution Amendment Bill 2020,
the LT Bill 2020 and the Judicature Bill 2020, in response to concern raised in relation to the
proposed numbering requirement for matai sa’o. This provision was removed in the LTA and the
decision on the appointment and the number of Matai Sa’o remains the prerogative of the suli
and aiga.
2. In summary, the new requirements under section 13 – Matai Sa’o of the LTA provides that:
a. the selection and number of Matai Sa’o should not diminish the essence and importance
of the Matai Sa’o;
b. the bestowment ceremony of a Matai Sa’o shall comply with section 15 – Validity of the
bestowment of a Matai Title; and
c. given the responsibility of a Matai Sa’o, he or she is to be domiciled in Samoa and be
present in the family and village to carry out duties expected of a Matai Sa’o.
3. In addition, section 15 – Validity of the bestowment of a Matai Title, sets out further strict
requirements for the bestowment of a Matai Title, which includes (but not limited to), the
requirement that the person being bestowed a Matai title is to be physically present to
acknowledge recognition of the bestowment of the Matai title1

. This therefore reinforces the

safeguarding of the integrity of the Matai system.
It is important to note that this requirement DOES NOT apply retrospectively, and therefore
does not apply to the current Matai title holders.