Samoa PM

That’s the latest update from his Office, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Press Secretary.

 Issued in Samoan, the statement said Prime Minister Tuilaepa is still being monitored in New Zealand following his medical evacuation from the Moto’otua Hospital last Friday.

 The evacuation was a precautionary measure recommended by medical doctors in Samoa. The government has kept his medical condition under wraps.

 Last night’s statement quoted the Prime Minister as saying the medical tests and checks are progressing well.

Tuila'epa was admitted to the Intensive care unit of the Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole hospital in Apia Wednesday afternoon.

Our correspondent said efforts to obtain information from government and health officials relating to the condition of the prime minister were unsuccessful.

But he said a source confirmed that an air ambulance had transported the prime minister to New Zealand on Wednesday night.

Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia The Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi. 

Samoa PM known for his open door policy accepting every appointment regardless of who and what the appointment is for.

“Open up the line of communication by talking to your government leaders,” urged the Prime Minister.

“Tell them your woes even if the Minister in charge is unfriendly. Don’t worry; take your issues to your Prime Minister,” he added.

“As politicians we have perfected the art of public address and we look and sound good but it does not resolve obstacles faced by the private sector unless your speak up and share it with government leaders.

The director of Pasifika at Massey University, Malakai Koloamatangi, said the absence of some leaders and the late arrival of others had opened the door for Tu'ilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi to take a bigger role.

Four of the 18 Pacific leaders are not attending the meeting which got underway on Tuesday, while Australia's prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, will arrive on Friday and the stand in for New Zealand's Bill English, Gerry Brownlee, arrives today.

Dr Koloamatangi said Tu'ilaepa had quite successfully assumed this Pacific leadership role.

The French territory is now the ninth member of the PLG since the group was formed six years ago in Apia.

It was accepted with open arms during the PLG’s annual meeting in Apia on the eve of opening the 48th annual Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting.

PM Malielegaoi reminded the group to expect more new members, with Hawaii, Easter Island and New Zealand Maoris in waiting.

The three potential members have formally approached the Polynesian group and PM Malielegaoi has moved for PLG to consider the three applications.

The Q&A with the Prime Minister jump starts the pre-pageant preparations, initiated by the Samoa Events Incorporated (SEI) using the week leading up to the event to prepare the contestants through briefing sessions with high level officials as well as Cabinet Ministers and even the Prime Minister. 

This aims to broaden the contestant’s knowledge on Samoa’s developments, growth, challenges and achievements.

In a radio interview last week, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi alluded to changing the regulations to keep smaller retail operations for Samoan business people only.

Tuilaepa said that there are good, and bad, sides to Asian businesses operating in the country, but in the long run these businesses are needed to create jobs and help boost the country's economy.

While he acknowledged there was growing resentment among local business owners over overseas operators, he encouraged them to learn from the Chinese about operating profitable businesses.

"The Samoa Rugby Union has made a proposal that they are now negotiating with the All Blacks whether it is possible to have another game with the All Blacks," he told media last week.

"This is during the time of the Independence Celebration in Samoa. So it's is something we all should look forward to."

Tuilaepa, who is also the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, indicated that it could be hosted in Samoa.

But the Samoa Observer said reports emerged over the weekend that Manu Samoa was likely to feature in a Pacific Island rugby double header in New Zealand.

“It is an honor for Samoa to host the regional dialogue on Science and Science Policy advice. As well as the implementation of the sustainable development goals, through the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States, partnered institutions and academia” he expressed.

The two-day forum aims to produce dialogue around the needs and options for bridging the gaps between science, technology and innovation (ST&I) systems and policy-makers in the Pacific SIDS, with a particular focus on the framework of the SDG’s and the UNESCO’s SIDS Action Plan. 

The association has held a one day consultation on human rights as part of this year's Faafafine Association week.

Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told the forum all people are the same in the eyes of God and that every person should be treated fairly and equally.

He said that in Samoa males are the first gender, females are the second but faafafines are the third gender and has urged members of the association to continue their good work.