Samoa

The event also featured the launch of a follow-up rapid assessment on street vendors.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour’s Chief Executive Officer, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, ensuring the safety of children is of great significance.

“As highlighted in the national policy on childcare and protection; the safety, welfare and best interests of the child is paramount; this is central to our responsibility to ensure the protection of our children in all situations whether at home, in school, or in the workplace,” he said.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa said a lot of rugby games will be held in the country.

"Finally, with a number of Pacific Super rugby and international rugby games to be played  in Samoa this year, Cabinet has approved renovation work for the Apia Park Stadium," she said at a press conference last week..

"This is crucial for Samoa to play host to the Manu Samoa international test matches as well as hosting the Moana Pasefika super rugby fixtures planned for this year. 

"Our arrangement for visa travels with Israel has been officially approved by the Cabinet this past week," said Fiame.

Prime Minister Fiame explained that this arrangement was delayed by a few clarifications that were required by both countries and Israel, with regards to immigration laws and provisions. 

"An Israeli travelling to Samoa may stay up to 90 days, we are permitted for up to 60 days of visa free in Israel."

In 2019, Samoa and Israel signed an agreement to allow Samoans to travel to Israel without a visa.

Minister Conroy announced Australia’s support of AUD$220,000 (approx. WST 390,000) to the Manu Samoa team ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup to be held in France, on the second day of his two day visit.

Rugby is an integral part of Samoa and Australia’s national identities and a symbol of the shared love of sports between the two nations.

Head coach Aaron Mauger is counting on the noise of the partisan crowd to get his players over the line in a historic match, the first Moana Pasiifka has played in any of its base countries.

RNZ Pacific reports Mauger hopes that home advantage will give his warriors their first win of the season.

"It has been exciting. The fans are excited. The players are excited," he told RNZ Pacific.

"We have had a good week [in Apia] and the players are focused on the job at hand."

Ministry chief executive officer, Aeau Christopher Hazelman said there were a number of reasons behind the departures, including finding work with the seasonal work schemes in Australia and New Zealand, and better paid jobs in other ministries.

RNZ Pacific reports some teachers were taking up theological studies.

The ministry has recently reached out to qualified teachers working in other ministries to work part-time at teaching.

It is also looking at the use of volunteers as an option to tackle the critical shortage of teachers.

The announcement was made by the Australia Minister in a media release issued Tuesday.

According to the release, Conroy will also be visiting Vanuatu.

"This week I will travel to Samoa and Vanuatu to strengthen Australia’s deep and longstanding partnerships in the Pacific," he said.

He said while being in Samoa, he will meet with Samoa’s Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa and senior members of her cabinet.

A welcome parade is taking place today and will follow the Police Marching Band to the Government building for the flag-raising ceremony and national anthem.

The public will then be able to meet the Moana Pasifika players after that or at various community events at schools including at Savaii Island, rugby clubs, and villages during the week.

RNZ Pacific reports Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger said his players are keen to play in Apia for the first time in front of a vocal crowd.

A welcoming reception was hosted for the team by Samoa's Minister of Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster at the STA Fale last night..

The team will host its first ever match in Samoa against the Queensland Reds on 14 April at Apia Park.

"I’m sure there’s plenty of excitement building in Samoa for the game on Friday," said Head Coach Aaron Mauger.

"The team is very excited to play in Samoa, especially our local players who will be able to introduce the team to our aiga in Samoa.

According to a statement from the ministry, there has been an increase in ILI cases in the hospitals since 5 April.

“It has been notified that there is also an ongoing increased circulation of influenza-like-illnesses in some of the Pacific island countries such as Fiji, Tonga and French Polynesia and Influenza B a type of influenza, has confirmed its resurgence in French Polynesia and Fiji,” states Samoa’s Health Ministry.

The Samoa Public Health surveillance is monitoring the current status of this influenza and that of the cases presented to the main hospitals.