A Samoan educator responsible for promoting her tradition and culture in New Zealand will be given her final rites at her village in Vaimoso on Monday.

Fuatino Melegalenu'u To’alepaiali’i Ah Sam passed away peacefully on Monday morning in New Zealand, just days short of her 76th birthday, surrounded by loved ones.

Mrs. Ah Sam was also a community leader remembered for her work at ASB Polyfest, EFKS Mangare and Mangere College.

Pacific Media Network reported that she was a pioneer of the Samoan language in education is being remembered for her services to education and the community.

Mrs. Ah Sam established Gagana Samoa teaching at Māngere College in the early 90s, and was the acting principal when she died.

PMN reported that in a social media post Māngere College said she was known lovingly as ‘Mele'.

“Mele was a cornerstone of the Māngere College community, dedicating over 30 years to nurturing the growth and development of both students and staff,” read the post.

“Mele served as Deputy Principal and as Acting Principal of Māngere College and was a pioneer in the establishment of a languages block in 2012, aimed at enriching Māori and Pacific learning.

“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with Mele’s family, friends, and all who knew her in the Māngere College and wider Pasifika communities. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered for her dedication and love.”

Mrs. Ah Sam was also known to thousands of students who performed on the Samoan stage at ASB Polyfest, where she’d worked as the lead coordinator since 1993.

PMN Cook Islands radio host and former Māngere College student Ernestina Bonsu Maro called her the “Queen of Māngere College” and said Mrs Ah Sam will be sorely missed by the community, PMN reported.

“The amount of times this aunty of ours used to growl at me in school for being so loud or telling me why I dye my hair or wearing the incorrect uniform, I realised she just loved all of us like her kids,” she is quoted by PMN.

“The last event I saw her at was at the beginning of this year for our Māngere College students and still remember your words ‘I am proud of you Tina, keep serving your people’.”

PMN reported that another student, Tuaine, said Ah Sam encouraged her to be proud of her name.

“She once told me "stop calling yourself Tee to cater to the minority that can't pronounce Tuaine.”

Others described Mrs. Ah Sam's nature as fair but firm, and one remembers her standing at the school gate, growling at everyone who missed the first bell.

In 2022, Mrs. Ah Sam was recognised as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Pacific language education.

Mrs. Ah Sam was also a deacon of the EFKS New Vision Church and served as the treasurer for many years.

Several memorial events will be held on Thursday before Mrs. Ah Sam's remains are taken to Samoa at the weekend. A final service will be held at 10 am on Monday 22 April at EFKS Vaimoso, before burial at the nearby family cemetery.