The scorecard
2025 promises · FAST under Laʻauli, since 16 September 2025. 54 promises, one square each. Tap a square to open the promise.
What the labels mean
- Kept
- The government has done what it promised, and a source shows it.
- Under way
- Work has started, such as a new law, budget line or scheme, but it is not finished.
- No sign yet
- We have found no public sign of action on this promise yet.
- Broken
- The government has acted against this promise or said it will not keep it.
Is it funded?
- Funded in the budget: 8
- Partly funded: 11
- No budget line: 33
- Needs no new money: 2
Deadlines
Overdue (8):
- Act on drugs, domestic violence and online abuse due 2026-10-08
- Revenue from carbon credits due 2026-06-30
- Healthy living and eating to fight NCDs due 2026-07-01
- Pay rise for all government employees due 2026-08-12
- Free schooling to college due 2026-07-01
- Free school lunches due 2026-07-01
- SAT$2 million a year for every district due 2026-07-01
- Districts choose their own projects through Fono Faʻavae, with SAT$2 million a year for each district due 2026-07-01
Coming due:
- SAT$300 million to restart Samoa Airways international flights due 2026-12-31
- Revive Samoa Airways international flights with SAT$300 million due 2026-12-31
- SAT$50 million for EPC to keep the power on due 2026-12-31
- Child benefit: SAT$100 a month under three, SAT$3,800 package due 2027-01-31
- More overseas consulates due 2027-12-31
- Minimum wage of SAT$6 an hour due 2028-07-01
This site tracks 53 of the 88 commitments counted in FAST's 2025 manifesto and first budget. How they were chosen
The 2021 scorecard
2021 promises · FAST under Fiamē, 24 May 2021 to September 2025. 51 promises; that term is over, so these labels are final.
What the labels mean
- Kept
- The government has done what it promised, and a source shows it.
- Partly kept
- Some of the promise has been done, but not all of it.
- Not kept
- The time for this promise has run out and it was not done.
- Broken
- The government has acted against this promise or said it will not keep it.
Fiamē's government kept its main cash and price relief for older people, people with disabilities and households, but most of its promised checks on power at the top were not made law before the term ended early 12313145.
Fiamē's first budget, on 14 September 2021, raised the pension from SAT$160 to SAT$200 a month and cut electricity and water prices by 20% from 1 November 2021, and her government brought in a SAT$100 a month disability benefit and SAT$1 million a year for each district 1267. The minimum wage rose in stages from SAT$3.00 to SAT$4.84 an hour by July 2025, and a 2025 change to the Constitution set up an appeal court for about 100 land and titles appeals filed since 2021 89. Promised checks on those at the top were not made: Samoans abroad still had to come home to enrol and vote, despite FAST's pledge to extend voting rights to them, and the two-term limit for the Prime Minister that FAST put forward in 2020 is not in the Constitution, as far as we found 3141310. A U4 report of February 2026 said an anti-corruption agency was still 'in the process of being established' 4. The term ended early when HRPP MPs and FAST MPs, by then led by Laʻauli after the party split in January 2025, joined to defeat the budget, and Parliament was dissolved on 3 June 2025 15115. Public debt fell from 41.0% of GDP in 2021/22 to 21.2% in 2024/25 12.
The verdict
Older people and people with disabilities have gained more cash, but most promises for low-paid working families are not yet kept, and the cost sits on a budget in deficit 1234.
Laʻauli's government raised the pension and disability benefit to SAT$300 a month from 17 November 2025 and the pension for people aged 70 and over to SAT$500 from 1 July 2026, and set aside SAT$20 million for a child benefit with first payments due in January 2027 15267. Cash top-ups for families earning under SAT$20,000 and free hospital care for all have not started, and both budgets kept VAGST and income tax rates as they were, so there is no VAGST relief on food and no tax cut for high earners or companies either 891011. The 2026/27 budget plans a SAT$215.9 million cash deficit, part-paid by SAT$41.5 million in soft loans, and the new SAT$2 million district grants run through Cabinet-appointed chairs, with the first payment due in November 2026 4121314.
What changed for families
-
SAT$300
a month from age 65
Pension at 65 rose to SAT$300
Since 17 November 2025, people aged 65 and over have been paid at least SAT$300 a month, up from the SAT$200 rate set in 2021/22 123. That is SAT$1,200 more a year each (our working), and the 2026/27 budget says the higher pension reached 13,000 pensioners 4.
Sources (4)
- Pension and disability benefit increase in effect
- Senior Citizens Benefit Fund (SCBF) | Samoa National Provident Fund
- Budget Address 2025/2026
- Budget Address 2026/2027: AIGA – Accelerating Inclusive Growth and Access
-
SAT$500
a month from age 70
SAT$500 a month from age 70
From 1 July 2026, people aged 70 and over are due SAT$500 a month, paid as SAT$250 a fortnight, which is SAT$2,400 a year more than the SAT$300 rate (our working) 12. The budget expected 7,285 pensioners to gain, but the only reports of payment we found come from the government, and people aged 65 to 69 stay on SAT$300 123.
Sources (3)
- Budget Address 2026/2027: AIGA – Accelerating Inclusive Growth and Access
- Government Delivers on Key Social Commitments from 1 July 2026
- District Development Funds — Facts, Accountability and Support for Samoan Families
-
SAT$300
a month disability benefit
Disability benefit tripled
The disability benefit rose from SAT$100 to SAT$300 a month in the November 2025 payout, which is SAT$2,400 more a year each (our working) 123. The 2026/27 budget, read on 26 May 2026, says the higher rate had reached 2,875 people with disabilities 4.
Sources (4)
- Budget Address 2025/2026
- Pension and disability benefit increase in effect
- District Development Funds — Facts, Accountability and Support for Samoan Families
- Budget Address 2026/2027: AIGA – Accelerating Inclusive Growth and Access
-
SAT$5.24
an hour since 1 July 2026
Minimum wage up 40 sene
Since 1 July 2026 the minimum wage has been SAT$5.24 an hour, up from SAT$4.84, which is SAT$16 more for a 40-hour week (our working) 12. It rises each year to SAT$6.05 by 1 July 2028, after earlier steps up from SAT$3 under the previous government's plan, and it does not cover workers under the Public Service Act 2004 23.
Sources (3)
- Government Delivers on Key Social Commitments from 1 July 2026
- Minimum wage increases by 40 cents
- Employment services | Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour
-
4,115
children registered by 16 October 2026
Child benefit sign-ups
By 16 October 2026, 4,115 children under three were registered for the new Child Wellbeing Benefit, and the ministry said 72% of eligible children were still to register 1. On 12 August 2026 the Prime Minister's office said first payments are scheduled for January 2027, although a government release of 3 July 2026 had said the benefit 'has now commenced'; we found no report of any payment so far 23. The ministry says children registered by 30 November 2026 can get payments back to 1 July 2026 4.
Sources (4)
- Silia i le 4 afe fanauiti ua resitala mo le penefiti tau soifua mālōlōina
- District Development Funds — Facts, Accountability and Support for Samoan Families
- Government Delivers on Key Social Commitments from 1 July 2026
- Child Wellbeing Benefit – MFSA
-
105,669
people paid SAT$150 by 8 April 2026
SAT$150 back-to-school help
In February 2026 the government offered every citizen SAT$150 in back-to-school help, paid through the 51 district councils, and by 8 April 2026, 105,669 people had received it 12. The money was not a new school budget line: it came from the SAT$1.8 million each district received under the district programme 3.
Sources (3)
- Budget Address 2026/2027: AIGA – Accelerating Inclusive Growth and Access
- More than $15M paid out in $150 school support
- Over 17,800 Receive Back-to-School Packages in Samoa
-
SAT$120
one way, Fagaliʻi to Maota
Flights to Savaiʻi again
Scheduled flights to Maota in Savaiʻi restarted on 9 October 2026, from Fagaliʻi Monday to Saturday and from Faleolo on Sundays 12. Samoa Airways first announced a SAT$200 one-way fare in September 2026 and cut it to SAT$120 before flights began, and its chief executive, Fauoʻo Fatu Tielu, called SAT$120 a promotional fare 34. An adult ferry crossing costs SAT$10 one way 5.
Sources (5)
- After 26 years, Maota Airport reopens in Savai‘i
- Scheduled flights restart to Samoa’s Maota Airport, Asau next
- Samoa Airways to resume Savai‘i flights
- Maota Airport Reopens After 26 Years
- Timetable & Fares DOMESTIC – Samoa Shipping Corporation
-
51
families to get house materials in 2026/27
Houses for 51 families
By 14 October 2026, Cabinet had approved SAT$2 million from the 2026/27 budget to build houses for vulnerable families with ADRA Samoa, and the 51 district councils will help pick the families 1. The budget calls the SAT$2 million a 50% rise, but the 2025/26 budget had put the line at SAT$1 million, which would make it double (our working); we found no paper that explains the gap 23.
Sources (3)
- $2M Housing Project for Vulnerable Families
- Budget Address 2026/2027: AIGA – Accelerating Inclusive Growth and Access
- Budget Address 2025/2026
By area
Every promise, grouped by what it touches.
-
Cost of living and tax
All four FAST tax promises are stalled: the tax-free amount is still SAT$15,000, the top PAYE rate and the company tax rate are both still 27%, and VAGST and import duty have not been taken off any essential goods; Fiamē's 2021 promise of 20% off government fees was partly kept.
4 promises
+ 1 from 2021 -
Pay and jobs
The SAT$6 minimum wage promise is underway: the rate has been SAT$5.24 an hour since 1 July 2026, and SAT$6.05 is set for 1 July 2028, though SAT$1.84 of the rise from SAT$3.00 came under Fiamē's government; the pay rise for government employees is stalled, with no published Tribunal report, Cabinet decision or payment since Cabinet asked the Tribunal for a proposal on 12 February 2026; of Fiamē's eight 2021 pay promises, two were done, five partly kept and one not kept.
2 promises
+ 8 from 2021 -
Pensions and benefits
Three promises are done: the SAT$300 senior benefit from age 65 and the SAT$300 disability benefit are being paid, and the government says the SAT$500 benefit from age 70 has been paid since 1 July 2026, though we found no independent report of it; two are underway: the child benefit has SAT$20 million for 2026/27 but pays nothing until January 2027, and only the ADRA shelter part of the NGO grants has been met; five are stalled, including the pregnancy allowance and the low-income top-up, and neither has been paid; of Fiamē's five 2021 promises, two were done and three partly kept.
10 promises
+ 5 from 2021 -
Districts and villages
Both promises are underway: SAT$2 million a district is budgeted for 2026/27, and district councils now work under the District Development Act 2026, but Cabinet picks the chairs, no district had been paid at the new rate by 15 October 2026, and the first SAT$1.4 million, to Vaimauga No. 4, is expected by November 2026; of Fiamē's three 2021 promises, one was done and two partly kept.
2 promises
+ 3 from 2021 -
Health
All six health promises are stalled: we found no step to make hospital services free, medicines ran short in 2026, and there is no health insurance scheme and no new healthy-eating programme; no public hospital is funded or built at Sālelologa or Tuanaʻimato, while a private hospital on government land at Sālelologa broke ground on 14 September 2026 and was paused that same month; of Fiamē's four 2021 promises, two were partly kept and two not kept.
6 promises
+ 4 from 2021 -
School
Two promises are underway and four are stalled: tuition at government schools was already free, and registration fees there were stopped in February 2026, but schools waited into Term 2 for the school grant; scholarship money rose to SAT$13 million for 2026/27 while the NUS grant fell; there are no free school lunches, no pre-school or church school teachers on government pay and no school building programme; of Fiamē's three 2021 promises, two were partly kept and one not kept.
6 promises
+ 3 from 2021 -
Power, water and fares
One promise is underway and two are stalled: the 2026/27 budget sets aside SAT$100 million, mainly for EPC and partly for SWA, which the IMF calls one-off support that pays for fuel and the tariff freeze rather than the maintenance FAST named; SWA gets SAT$5 million a year in community service money instead of SAT$50 million; there is no SAT$50 million renewables line, and the solar work now under way is paid for by aid partners or built by private power producers; all three of Fiamē's 2021 promises were partly kept.
3 promises
+ 3 from 2021 -
Transport and infrastructure
One promise is done, two are underway and three are stalled: scheduled flights from Fagaliʻi to Maota restarted on 9 October 2026; Samoa Airways has SAT$800,000 for 2026/27 and a business plan but no aircraft, lease or start date, and the finance minister said in late January 2026 that no aircraft would be bought in 2026; the one new ferry was ordered in 2024, before this government took office; there is no SAT$50 million ferry line, SAT$100 million hotel fund or SAT$30 million sports programme; of Fiamē's seven 2021 promises, two were done, three partly kept, one broken and one not kept.
6 promises
+ 7 from 2021 -
Land and custom
The one land promise is stalled: we found no government land returned to villages or families by 20 October 2026, and in 2026 the 10,000 acres of former STEC land went to the lands ministry (7,000 acres) and the Samoa Export Authority (3,000 acres) instead; of Fiamē's three 2021 promises, one was done, one partly kept and one not kept.
1 promise
+ 3 from 2021 -
Farming and fishing
Three promises are stalled and one is underway: there is no SAT$50 million fund for export farmers or for manufacturers, and no government poultry farm; the Development Bank cheap-loan line (SAT$10 million budgeted for 2025/26 and SAT$15 million for 2026/27) is shared with manufacturing and tourism, had reached 30 businesses by May 2026 with no count of farmers, and starts repayment after a three-year pause instead of at harvest; both of Fiamē's 2021 promises were partly kept.
4 promises
+ 2 from 2021 -
Family abroad
Three promises are stalled and one is underway: there is no diaspora office, no new consulate and no new visa deal, and further talks with New Zealand are expected after its election on 7 November 2026; Cabinet approved terms of reference for an overseas voting task force and pilot, announced on 31 August 2026, but no law has changed and no one can yet vote from abroad; of Fiamē's four 2021 promises, two were partly kept and two not kept.
4 promises
+ 4 from 2021 -
Clean government
One promise is done, one is underway and four are stalled: the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs has been running since 1 July 2026, though its Child Protection Division is still listed as proposed; drug raids and partner-funded prevention work are going ahead, but Samoa still has no standalone cybercrime law; we found no separation-of-powers review, stock exchange, economic zone or carbon-credit sale; of Fiamē's eight 2021 promises, five were partly kept and three not kept.
6 promises
+ 8 from 2021
How Samoa is doing
-
Economy and jobs
-
Daily life
-
Society
-
Government and the law
-
Development and the world
The national plan
Pathway for the Development of Samoa FY2021/22 to FY2025/26, July 2021 to June 2026: 88 indicators the plan set itself, each against its own baseline and target.
- 28Target met
- 53Off track
- 6No result published
- 1Not comparable
Projects
- 9Delivered and working
- 1On track, not finished
- 9Delivered with problems
- 16Delayed
- 1Abandoned
- 3No visible progress
The most serious failures
- Abandoned Aurora V inter-island ferryIn April 2026, Prime Minister Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said about SAT$20m had been spent on the ship through the Samoa Ports Authority. [7][8] On 15 July 2026, Talamua reported that more than SAT$20m had been paid. [14] Reports of the price itself differ. [17][1][9] A government press release on 4 December 2024 put the ship at US$7.8m (SAT$21.5m), and Talamua used the same figure on 23 December 2025. [17][5] In May 2025, the Samoa Observer gave US$5m (about SAT$13m). [1] In April 2026, the designer, Dr Stuart Ballantyne, said the price had 'always' been '$13 million'. [9] He did not say which currency. [9] The Prime Minister has put the cost of the ship itself at SAT$2m (April 2026) and at SAT$3m (June 2026). [8][9][10] He said extra work on the ship raised the total to about SAT$20m. [8][10] We found no published account that reconciles these figures.
- Delivered with problems District Development ProgrammeSAT$11m in 2021/22 for district programming and scoping [1]. SAT$51m in 2022/23 [2]. For 2023/24, Talamua reported SAT$37,500,288 paid out and SAT$13,499,712 left by December 2024, which adds up to SAT$51m [3]. SAT$51m in 2024/25 [4]. SAT$91.8m in 2025/26 [5]. SAT$102m in 2026/27 [6]. Budget papers for 2026/27 also show SAT$112.6m for the new District Development Authority [7]. The Budget Address does not explain the SAT$10.5m gap between the two figures [8].
- Delivered with problems Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity and Marketing Project (SAFPROM)The project spent US$15.92 million. It had planned to spend US$23.55 million [2]. These totals count only the two grants, from the World Bank's IDA and from IFAD [13]. The completion report's data sheet puts IDA spending at US$13.30 million and IFAD spending at US$2.62 million [14]. The same report's cost table gives IDA spending as US$13.38 million, so the report's own figures differ slightly [15]. Samoa's government also paid US$1.55 million from its own funds for contract work still unpaid after the project closed [2]. Farmers also pledged their own cash and labour, but the World Bank has no data on what they actually put in [16]. At the World Bank's rate of SAT$2.73 to US$1 (16 March 2026), US$15.92 million is about SAT$43.5 million [1]. We did this conversion for this page. It is not a published tala total, and it uses a 2026 rate, not the rates on the days the money was spent.
What the labels mean
Each promise gets two labels: was it kept, and is it good for families. Numbers like 1 link to the source for that sentence. How we judge →
Was the promise kept?2025 promises
2021 promises (FAST under Fiamē)
That term is over, so these labels are final.