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People of Samoa 'heartbroken, disappointed' over ODT measles cartoon

December 5, 2019

The Garrick Tremain cartoon has been shared around the country as it grapples with the deadly disease.

The Otago Daily Times cartoon which mocked the Samoa measles crisis has been shared across the Pacific island nation, leaving many in disbelief.

Garrick Tremain's cartoon which was published on Tuesday depicts two women leaving a travel agency with one woman saying, "I asked "what are all the least popular spots at the moment?" She said the ones people are picking up in Samoa."

1 NEWS Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver is on the ground in Apia. She has seen and heard the effect the cartoon has had on the nation.

She said locals are "really heartbroken, disappointed and just a sense of disbelief about it."

"People here are devastated and they have always looked on New Zealand as being a place of support. 

"It is all over the internet, all over the social media groups. It's a big issue here." 

The death toll  from the measles epidemic sits at 60.

This morning, the ODT released a formal apology for printing the cartoon and is reviewing the future the cartoonist has with the news outlet.

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