A 6-year-old boy from Manono Island, who went missing before New Year during a shopping trip to Apia with his father, has been found and reunited with his family.

The youngster, Palesoo Leiataua rarely visits Apia and is not familiar with Upolu's roads and the public transport system, said an official who is familiar with the case.

The Ministry of Police Prisons and Corrections Services, in a statement released on its Facebook page at 6am Monday morning, said the youngster was found by a passerby walking by himself from Siusega towards Ululoloa on Sunday morning looking for his father.

He was then taken in by the good Samaritan who took care of him and advised the Police of the missing 6-year-old.

"Samoa Police Prisons and Corrections Services informs the public that Palesoo Leiataua, 6-years-old has reunited with his family and is now with his family and is in good health," read the Police statement. 

"We also thank the public for your continuous support that lead to Palesoo Leiataua being found."

According to the official, the missing boy travelled to Upolu with his father from Manono Island for shopping, and ended up being separated from his father during the trip and getting lost. 

"The family haven't had a happy new year trying to look for Palesoo and they wouldn't think of a place he would go to and he's not used to Upolu and the roads there," the official told the Samoa Observer.

Last week, in the lead-up to the New Year celebrations last Saturday evening, hundreds of Samoans converged on the capital Apia for the Toa Samoa parade, after the national rugby league team flew into the country early last week. 

The parade and various other activities was part of their homecoming visit following their success in the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) last November.