15 Dec 2023

Samoa Prime Minister Fiame to undergo surgery

9:22 am on 15 December 2023
NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, left and Fiame Naomi Mata'afa.

NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, left and Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. Photo: Twitter / @chrisluxonmp

Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is in New Zealand to undergo a medical procedure.

The Samoa Observer reports the chief executive of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Agafili Shem Leo saying the Acting Prime Minister would discuss the "surgical procedure" in his press statement later on Friday.

According to the newspaper, the prime minister was due to be back in the country last week after attending COP28 in Dubai alongside the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster.

"...several Cabinet Ministers confirmed to the Samoa Observer that the country's leader will be undergoing an operation this week in New Zealand," according to the newspaper's report.

On Saturday, Fiame met New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, where he confirmed their support for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Apia in 2024.