The fundamentals of local government are not new to Samoan society. Traditionally, the
social structure of Samoa clearly outlines the status, roles, responsibilities, values, rules and
jurisdictional boundaries of Samoans at the village and district levels. During the colonial
era2
there was attention directed to developing a ‘modern’ local government structure
alongside that of the central government (Afamasaga 2006). In 1950, a Commission was set
up to examine ways to integrate both systems effectively (Afamasaga 2006). However, at the
time of independence in 1962 the existing traditional system of village governance was
retained.