A village in Samoa has a very strong New Zealand connection -- Prime Minister John Key is its high chief.
The title was bestowed yesterday when he visited the village of Poutasi, devastated by last week's tsunami, and it wasn't on his agenda.
"It came as a complete and utter shock," he told NZPA."In one sense it felt odd. I was going there to try to help and make sure New Zealand was giving to the people of Samoa, so it was very kind and gracious of them to bestow that title on me."
And there are strings attached."It carries obligations...it's a long-term commitment to the people of Poutasi but it's one I'm very happy to have."
Mr Key will now be known in the village as To'osavali Sione Key."The title means `protect from the winds'. There's an expectation there," he said.
