Indigenous and Pacific leaders unite at Waitangi with shared messages on ocean conservation
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As Waitangi Day commemorations continue drawing people from across Aotearoa and around the world to the Bay of Islands, Te Tii Marae has become a gathering poin

![Taiātea Symposium at Waitangi 2026 where ‘Gathering of the Oceans’ held its public forum on February 4, uniting more than 20 Indigenous leaders. [Photo: WAI 262 - Kia Whakapūmau / wai262.nz / projects@wai262.nz] Taiātea Symposium](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/symposium_at_waitangi_2026.jpeg?itok=MsBmshIM)
![Prayer Breakfast House of Representatives choir with Congresswoman Amata standing just right of the center podium. [courtesy photo] Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata at prayer breakfast](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/prayer_breakfast_members_choir.png?itok=ES3-ZnR-)
![From L-R Jahlani Tavai, George Holani, Christian Elliss, Marte Mapu, Brandon Pili and Khiyris Tonga. [Associated Press photo]) Pacific Islanders in Super Bowl 2026](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/pacific_islanders_in_super_bowl.jpeg?itok=zeWjahA1)
![Top government officials from Samoa and American Samoa wrapped up two days of intensive discussions on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Apia, focusing on strengthening cooperation and coordination on border security between the close neighbors. [courtesy photo] government officials from Samoa and American Samoa](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/two_samoas_border.jpg?itok=3foRvSmn)
![Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the February 6th birthday of the late President Ronald Reagan. Seen here is Governor Coleman in the Oval Office presenting President Reagan with a specialty license plate from American Samoa as a thank you from the South Pacific Conference in 1982. [courtesy photo] Governor Coleman in the Oval Office WITH President Reagan](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/governor_coleman_with_president_reagan.jpg?itok=RwHDHujL)
![The defendant was held without bail. [SN file photo] AMERICAN SAMOA DISTRICT COURT](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/district_court_926.jpg?itok=Ba1T9xhW)

![The MV Raider, which was intercepted by French authorities with 4.87 tonnes of cocaine on board mid-last month, docked at the Avatiu International Secure Port on Friday, (Saturday NZT). [Photo: Cook Islands News] The MV Raider](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/cocaine_vessel.jpeg?itok=g6OvZK5l)