New Zealand Police engaged to review Samoa’s Police Service

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 21 November 2025 – A team of New Zealand Police is now in Samoa in the initial stages of a review of the Samoa police service.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said this was part of the initial discussions he had with the New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland early this month.

In their initial discussions, the two leaders identified regional security as well as the growing impact of illegal drugs and the Pacific region being used for drugs trafficking.

The Prime Minister said New Zealand designed the Samoan police law still in place and the review will look at the relevance of these laws in the face of changes over last 60 years.

Under the review project in partnership with the New Zealand Police, four major areas are targeted that include Prosecution, Investigation, Training and Legal.

There have been major concerns expressed by the courts and the public with many cases being dismissed due to the lack of police evidence, unresolved cases and delays in investigating complaints.

The initial police team will be in Samoa for a few weeks ahead of the arrival of a second team to carry out the detailed review.

Two years ago, a Cabinet decision to engage overseas police to investigate a still unresolved hit and run case, was overturned by then Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa.