MATATUMUA MAIMOANA VERMEULEN

A former Member of Parliament for Aana Alofi Number I, Matatumua Maimoana is co-founder and board member of non-government organization Matualeo’o Environment Trust Inc (METI).

Established in 2000, METI’s dynamic range of services include treatment of sleep apnea, agro-forestry development and conservation, organic farming, marine rehabilitation projects and second chance teacher training.

“Mua (Matatumua) has always been a person dedicated to serving others,” says METI Board Chairman Tuu’u Dr Ieti Taulealo.

“She’s been like that all her life.”

“She has great public relations skills and has excellent repertoire with those at the village level.  And she uses it effectively with METI.”

The organisation started off treating apnea as it’s within Mua and (husband) Walter’s field.  Walter being a doctor and Mua a nurse by profession.

 “Apnea of course is a classic example of preventive health as it affects a person’s and community’s ability to contribute, thereby affecting economic development. Polynesians have short necks thus they are prone to apnea. And of course when you have sleep disorders it affects, well reduces your economic value.”

Because treatment is cost-prohibitive, government has agreed to subsidize it.

“It’s a good example of Mua’s negotiating skills and the excellent relationships she has with government.”

“As a person, Mua is a very sociable person, very approachable and applies her vast experience in the public service to the benefit of METI.”

Said niece and Minister of Women, Community and Social Development Fiame Naomi Mataafa;

“Mua is a very resolute person. She has always been the sort of person who goes out and does what needs to be done.

“She’s certainly very versatile and has tried her hand at everything from pig farming and poultry to conservation and now training the teachers programme.”

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi pointed out that he has had a very interesting political relationship with Matatumua.

“Matatumua was a member of the three-person strategic committee of the caucus following the dissolution of government in September, 1982. Thanks to that committee, government was able to regain power two days before the end of that year.

“But subsequently, Matatumua turned against government and became a thorn in government’s side in the run-up to the 1996 elections.

“Her song to change government has been picked up by other Johnny-come-latelys since to no success.

“But as a person, and as a professional we have a good working relationship. In fact, Matatumua has become my medical advisor to a very rare bout of apnea.

“I certainly recommend her and METI’s apnea services to my political rivals who I see suffer a lot from this condition.”

A former Superintendent of Nursing, Matatumua 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 then government.

A founding Member of the Human Rights Protection Party, Matatumua first entered Paliarment in 1982.

In 1996, she founded the Samoa All People’s Party (SAPP), the first political party to be founded and headed by a woman. SAPP has not been active in recent years.

*Pictured:  Matatumua with husband Walter Vermeulen (center) with the Fagalii Women’s committee.

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