An ‘ie toga, which is a finely woven mat and an important item of cultural value in Samoa, now hangs on the wall in the Ara Toi space in George St.
It was presented to Mayor Aaron Hawkins in 2018, when he was the community and culture committee chairman, by members of Dunedin’s Samoan community.
Mr Hawkins had spoken at a celebratory dinner marking 56 years of Samoan independence during Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi’s five-day visit to Dunedin.
Dunedin was the first city to host a civic reception for him.
About 30 people attended the formal blessing of the ‘ie toga’s permanent home yesterday afternoon.
Mikaele Laufiso, who is the father of city councillor Marie Laufiso, said the ‘ie toga was presented as a token of friendship between the city council and Samoan community in Dunedin.
It was more valuable than money, Samoan Advisory Council chairman Afamasaga Pavihi said.
"It is not something that we give away to anybody.
"We voted for you [Mr Hawkins] because we had been informed of the outcomes we would be getting, not in monetary sense, but that you would be a good leader for generations for each and everyone.
"We were very blessed with the outcome of the election."
Mr Hawkins thanked the Samoan community and said the ‘ie toga was a constant and visual reminder of the relationships that existed between the Dunedin community and Samoa.
"It is certainly my hope that we will continue to be able to build on [those] relationships."
