One thing I learned VERY early on as a NZ-born and raised Samoan is that what doesn't go down well at all in the homeland is a fia maualuga attitude. Our peeps on-islamd are totally open to discussion and critiques (they're our relatives duh) when you approach em WITH respect.

Yes, we may have got our fancy degrees, qualifications and jobs now - but in Samoa, none of that matters. What matters is how you uphold our customs while you tautua - your tautua can be suggesting improvements, but don't trample on other people's mana to make your point.

If that's the way you wanna operate, yes, all of Samoa social media will be out to crucify you lmao. Sorry, that's just how it works. Believe me I am very critical of some of our customs and critique tradition in my own way. But I'll never minimize people to make my point.

So'oga fai fua ia man. The fish in Samoa are most definitely not small. They're fresh, they come in vibrant colours, when you eat them they're flavourful and nourishing and fed entire communities for generations.

That's that on that.