Speaker rejects newspaper story that he was “detained” at Auckland Airport

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 03 December 2024 – The Speaker of Parliament, Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u has refuted a Sunday newspaper story that he and the Minister of Justice were ever “detained” at the Auckland International Airport on Thursday 28 November 2024.

In a statement today, the Speaker said “these statements are inaccurate and untrue and nothing of any sort happened.”

He also clarified that the newspaper did not seek an official response from him and the Minister on the matter. He said that statements disparaged the integrity of the office of the Speaker and the Minister and are seen as an insult given they are unfounded.

The Speaker said “he wanted to clear the air on any misleading information for clarity and transparency.”

The Speaker and the Minister of Justice were part of a delegation of the FAST political party who were on a fundraising trip in New Zealand.

The Minister of Justice, Matamua Vasati Pulufaga who arrived back from New Zealand this afternoon, told Talamua that she was very disappointed with the article which was nothing short of being malicious.

“We followed the normal process; we were escorted from the VIP lounge at Faleolo Airport, went through the screening process and to the aircraft,” said Matamua.

She believes what happened is not about screening but “dirty politics” and someone is behind it.

According to Talamua sources, someone at the Samoa Airport Authority emailed the New Zealand officials about passengers not being screened at Faleolo before departure.

According to Matamua, when they arrived at the Auckland Airport, they were met at the aircraft door by a lady who apologized and walked off when she received an email from the Samoa Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer to confirm they were screened before departure.

Talamua checked with prominent media outlets and sources in New Zealand who confirmed that they were not aware of any Samoan senior government officials being “detained” at the Auckland International Airport as of the newspaper story.