Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt with the New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters at the Samoan Consulate in Mangere. 19 October 2025 Photo: Facebook / Government of Samoa
Samoa's Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt held talks with the New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Sunday.
In a statement, the Samoan government said Laauli and Peters met at the Samoan Consulate in Mangere in Auckland.
It said the two leaders discussed several issues, including the priorities of the new Samoan government, border security to tackle drug trafficking, the development of private enterprises in Samoa, and the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
Laauli jetted out of Apia on 21 September, just days after being sworn in as the country's eighth prime minister, for medical treatment in New Zealand. He said the check-ups for a leg injury - which he had to put on hold due campaining for the 29 August elections - were "long overdue".
He was expected to return return to Samoa within a week, but he has had to extend his stay because he is not able to stand, Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo confirmed to the Samoa Observer on Friday.
"Laaulialemalietoa has now been in New Zealand for four weeks. He left five days after being sworn in as the Prime Minister on a private jet. His exact medical condition has not been declared," the newspaper reported.
"It has not been confirmed if Laaulialemalietoa will be in the country when the 2025/2026 budget is voted on."
