Matatumua Maimoaga

Matatumua Maimoaga (?? ?? 1935), also known as Matatumua Maimoaga Vermeulen is a Samoan Orator Chief, Stateswoman, Nurse and Environmentalist. Her title, Matatumua, is an orator's title from the village of Faleasiu. She is the daughter of Le Mamea Matatumua Ata, and she is married to Dr. Walter Vermeulen.

Matatumua Maimoaga is a former Superintendent of Nursing who was instrumental in the founding and development of the Samoa School of Nursing. She was an active member of the Samoa Public Service Association (PSA) during the 1981 PSA General Strike which brought down the government of Tupuola Efi. She was a founding member of the HRPP, first entering parliament as one of the members for the constituency of Aana Number 1 (comprising The villages of Faleasiu and Fasito'o) after the 1982 election. However, later she became known for being a critic of the HRPP government under Tofilau Eti Alesana, often voting against her party and opposing its leader in caucus. Among her criticisms was the extension of the parliamentary term from 3 years to 5 years and the fact that the extension took effect during that sitting of parliament rather than after the subsequent general election. Another major area of contention was the expansion of Cabinet from eight to thirteen members, and the inclusion of under secretaries (deputy ministers), which was seen as depleting the backbench.

In 1990 she introduced a motion for the introduction of universal suffrage while in parliament but was not supported by her own party. After the defeat of the motion, both the HRPP and the coalition under Tupuola Efi and Vaai Kolone promised to introduce universal suffrage if they gained power in the following election. When the HRPP retained power following that election, in which Matatumua lost her seat, the HRPP introduced the bill and Tofilau Eti Alesana claimed credit for the introduction of universal suffrage.

As Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, she often questioned and criticized the government's fiscal policies and practices as well what she saw as its deliberate lack of accountability to parliament. Eventually she resigned from the HRPP and founded the Samoa All People's Party (SAPP) which has never attained any seats in parliament.

She became involved in environmental issues and is currently a board member of Matuaileo'o Environmental Trust (METI).

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