A monument erected by the NZ Government commemorating those who died in the Spanish influenza epidemic in Samoa was dedicated Friday morning in Samoa.
It memorializes the 8,500 lives lost in Samoa to the Spanish influenza epidemic in 1918 .
New Zealand’s Minister of Social Development and Disability, Carmel Sepuloni said the memorial site at Vaimoso is significant for Samoa and New Zealand.
She said the launch and re-dedication of the monument allows New Zealand to be held accountable for actions that had a devastating impact to Samoa. 
In 2002, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clarke made a public apology to Samoa for the colonial administrators’ handling of the epidemic in 1918, killing a fifth of the population at the time and “causing pain and sorrow to the people of Samoa.”
The apology according to Minister Sepuloni is necessary because reconciliation is important in building strong relationships between Samoa and New Zealand.
“Despite of that plight in our New Zealand history of which we are not proud of, Samoa and New Zealand has a strong relationship.”
Talamua on line says at the gravesite, there are four long blocks marking the area where the victims are buried in mass graves including the monument erected and now upgraded by the New Zealand Government in memory of those who died.
Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, said Samoa has long forgiven what happened in 1918 and that a repeat of what happened will not occur in the future.
High Chief Manuleleua of Vaimoso believes the monument was built around the 1930’s.
He says the monument can become a historical and a tourism attraction for Vaimoso and Samoa in the future.
Photos: Talamua Media
