Prime Minister in New Zealand for medical treatment

Apia, Samoa – 22 September 2025 – Prime Minister, Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt left Samoa yesterday afternoon for needed medical treatment in New Zealand.

A press statement from the Prime Minister’s office said that medical appointments were secured for the Prime Minister at the end of last week, and the decision was made by Cabinet for him to be flown to Auckland for treatment.

Under government policy for overseas treatments, the Prime Minister is entitled to overseas medical treatment to be fully funded by government.

However, due to government’s current financial position with 25% of the budget from last year financing operations, and the urgency to undertake treatment, the Prime Minister’s family is funding all his expenses including airfares, treatment and accommodation in New Zealand.

In his first press conference hours after taking office last Tuesday, the Prime Minister was asked about his health after he received medical attention two days before he was sworn in.

He explained that he was in perfect health but a condition he’s had for some time with one of his ankles seemed to have caught up after literally standing up for 280 hours during the FAST Party roadshows that covered the whole country in the lead up the elections.

He said he only found out about the seriousness of the condition when he had x-rays at the national hospital two days before the swearing in of Parliament.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by his wife and is expected to be away for a week.