KEY POINTS:
Malietoa Tanumafili II, King of Samoa. Died aged 94.
Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of the world's longest reigning monarchs, sat on the Samoan throne since the country became independent in 1962.
That made him the world's third longest reining living monarch after Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Elizabeth II.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said the king's death was a day of great sadness for Samoa. "Through his long reign as head of state, Malietoa represented Samoa with wisdom, humour and insight.
"He helped frame Samoa's constitution prior to Samoa's independence from New Zealand in January 1962 and became joint head of state at that time.
"From 1963, following the death of Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, he became sole head of state."
Malietoa was educated in Samoa at the Government-run Leififi School and attended St Stephen's School and Wesley College in New Zealand. Malietoa held the post of head of state for life. His successor, however, will be elected by the legislature to a five-year term, as stipulated in the Samoan constitution.
- NZPA
