PMs Laauli and Luxon ‘unofficially’ talk health, security and Sāmoa’s future, in Auckland

An informal meeting between Sāmoa’s Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, and New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, was held in Auckland last week.

The gathering comes six weeks after Laauli was flown in for urgent medical treatment and marked his first significant public engagement with a head of government since his health scare.

The event drew attention from the Sāmoan diaspora and regional observers.

Although Luxon’s office confirmed the encounter was not an official meeting, describing it instead as a goodwill visit to wish Laauli well during his recovery, Sāmoa’s government and the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party released a statement outlining several key topics discussed.

The statement highlighted Sāmoa’s most pressing challenges, with health and security at the forefront of Laauli’s agenda, particularly the growing threat of drug abuse and trafficking.

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working alongside village councils through the Fono Faavae initiative to safeguard communities, especially young people, from drugs.

10 kilograms of methamphetamine seized at the border by the Ministry of Customs & Revenue earlier this year. Photo/Ministry of Customs & Revenue/ Facebook

Luxon agreed the region faces serious challenges linked to drug trafficking, citing the high profits driving criminal networks across Fiji, Tonga, Sāmoa, New Zealand, and Australia.

He says the street price of drugs in New Zealand is roughly 15 times higher than in North America, making the Pacific an increasingly attractive route for smugglers.

During their talks, Laauli also raised Sāmoa’s urgent need for new hospital facilities, acknowledging that the country’s main hospital was built with New Zealand’s support 50 years ago. Although new buildings and facilities were funded by the Chinese government and opened in 2013, Laauli says the government plans to construct a new national hospital in Tuanaimato, within the Faleata district, and another on Savai‘i.

China-funded hospital buildings and facilities were opened in 2013, but PM Laauli says his government plans to open a new hospital in Tuanaimato and on the island of Savaii.

Coincidentally, while the discussions were happening in Auckland, Sāmoa’s main oxygen plant at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital was temporarily shut down for repairs. The Sāmoa Observer reported that oxygen tanks were being shipped from American Sāmoa to fill the gap. The newspaper also cited ongoing shortages of medication for non-communicable diseases and chronic illnesses - drugs usually supplied for free through the state pharmacy but now being purchased privately by patients.

Both Laauli and Luxon acknowledged the deep contribution of the Sāmoan community in New Zealand, estimated at around 200,000 people. Laauli expressed hope that Sāmoans abroad would continue to reinvest in their homeland, noting that remittances and seasonal employment are vital pillars of Sāmoa’s economy.

Sāmoa’s Parliament passed the national budget at the end of October, and with remittance inflows exceeding ST$900 million (NZ$571 million) in the last financial year, Laauli emphasised their importance for economic stability. He told Luxon that his government aims to “encourage skilled workers to remain in Sāmoa to help sustain and grow local businesses”.

Watch: A day in the life of a Sāmoan seasonal worker in Hastings

The Sāmoan Prime Minister also highlighted the nation’s commitment to sustainable economic development, raising the topic of carbon credits and expressing interest in opportunities for Sāmoa to participate in international carbon markets as part of broader climate resilience efforts.

Additionally, he emphasised the government’s intention to invest in sports and nurture local talent, creating new avenues for youth empowerment and fostering national pride through athletic achievement.

“Prime Minister Luxon and I have agreed to hold further in-depth discussions in the near future,” Laauli says, adding that Luxon has committed to an official state visit to Sāmoa early next year.

Laauli is expected to return to Sāmoa on 16 November.