The Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa arrived back in the country on Wednesday afternoon after a month-long official trip which included medical checks in New Zealand. 

This newspaper was informed by a top government official that the Police Commissioner and other police officers were on their way to the airport to welcome and escort the Prime Minister from the airport. 

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio who was also Acting Prime Minister confirmed to this newspaper that Fiame was recovering well in New Zealand after undergoing a successful surgical procedure. 

Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio said Fiame was in good spirits and was looking forward to returning home. 

“The last time the recovery period was about four weeks, I think we are looking at the same. 

“She wants to come home to her country and as soon as she gets clearance she will return.” 

The Prime Minister left the country soon after the signing of the Samoa Agreement with the European Union on November 15. She then attended a meeting with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

According to a statement released by the Government, the meeting was attended by leaders of Commonwealth countries to discuss issues concerning their country and matters at the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that Samoa will be hosting in October next year. 

Fiame also attended COP28 in Dubai alongside the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, and a delegation from Samoa. Images from COP28 showed that Fiame was in a wheelchair and later flew to New Zealand.

She met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon followed by a brief encounter with New Zealand's new Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

She then underwent a surgical procedure in New Zealand.

She missed out on the last parliament session of 2023 which was held last week and saw the return of the Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi in parliament after his two-year suspension was lifted.