Transcript
UNESCO has described the two-storey building in central Apia as one of the few remaining timber structures of German colonial design in the world. The Prime Minister says the new building will be built in the same style but with modern materials. He says the hotel will be on the top floor and the ground floor will be home to shops and a museum. But AUT University's Professor of Pacific Studies in New Zealand, Tagaloatele (Talo-atele) Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, says the court house is a key part of Samoa's history, especially its German heritage.
"I would say I feel shattered and quite despairing of what I would see as quite a casual consideration of a heritage building - are there no other ways we can consider preserving some of the past as it was?"
The old court house has seen both German and New Zealand administrations come and go. And it was there that the leader of Samoa's independence movement, Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III, was shot dead by New Zealand police in 1929. When Samoa gained independence in 1962, the building was turned into goverment offices with the court house on the ground floor. Dr Fairbairn-Dunlop says it's a magnificent old building and its replacment would be a travesty.
"It's actually making use of the past, or using it as a way to make money rather than as to what it's actual meaning is. They're actually exploiting the design and OUT meaning of the old building."
Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says he has many memories of the building after working in the court first as a police officer then as a journalist.
"It's sad because the future generations of this country will only look at the pictures of the building but there will be no real building there in the future."
However, Samoan journalist and actor, Tuiasau Tuia-sow Petaia Pe-tie-a, says although it's a pity that the court house has to go, it's probably for the best.
"The fact of the matter is that the building has to be replaced. It cannot be renovated piecemeal because the whole place is about ready to fall down. It's lucky that it survived the last hurricane."
Mr Petaia Pe-tie-a says demolishing the building will signal a new chapter for Samoa, and not everybody will be sad to see the court house go.
"There will be a lot of emotion from some people, particuarly with people with ties to the German side of things, but I think it will be a good thing for the country."
The re-build will be funded by Samoa's International Finance Authority. It's yet to be confirmed when the project will get under way.
