Through Mr. Lauano's efforts, over 2,000 kilograms of Samoan taro made their way to New Zealand, crossing borders with zero tariffs under the PACER Plus agreement.

Nothing says Samoan more than taro. Baked, deep fried orsteamed, this “potato of the tropics” figures prominently at anySamoan Thanksgiving table. “We do taro much better than the Hawaiians ...

Common Christmas main courses are Samoan chop suey (sapa sui) and crab. Among the sides, taro or plantains baked in coconut are among the most popular. The most popular ingredient, by far, is coconut.

New Zealand’s long white clouds turn slate grey and dump their entire contents on the day I visit Tala, Auckland’s first ...

Well, maybe Samoan-Chinese, because there was egg foo yung on my plate, but I ordered it from a Samoan takeaway joint, and I was a happy camper. The cuisine here is not so different from Guam’s.

Well, maybe Samoan-Chinese, because there was egg foo yung on my plate, but I ordered it from a Samoan takeaway joint, and I was a happy camper. The cuisine here is not so different from Guam’s.

The cuisine here is not so different from Guam’s. The one meal will define Samoan cuisine for me, but I’ve seen some menus, and some places and some meals, and I think I’ve got it mostly down.

The toothsome fai’ai fe’e ($15), a Samoan octopus-coconut cream mixture, stands above the rest as an inky black study in contrast, suckers poking through the luscious base.

Salt & pepper to taste Cut taro into chunks (2″). Bring to a boil in enough water to cover taro; reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 25 minutes until tender. Strain and add to a large bowl.

The cuisine here is not so different from Guam’s. The one meal will define Samoan cuisine for me, but I’ve seen some menus, and some places and some meals, and I think I’ve got it mostly down.

Well, maybe Samoan-Chinese, because there was egg foo yung on my plate, but I ordered it from a Samoan takeaway joint, and I was a happy camper. The cuisine here is not so different from Guam’s.