The Speaker of the House, Papalii Lio Masipau, and Minister of Justice, Matamua Seumanu Vasati Sili Pulifana, were detained at Auckland International Airport on Thursday, along with two other passengers, after allegedly bypassing security screening in Apia.

The group arrived on Air New Zealand flight NZ993, which departed Faleolo International Airport on Thursday afternoon carrying 247 passengers and crew. 

Civil Aviation Authoirty (CAA) and Air New Zealand staff in Auckland questioned the group after concerns were raised that proper security procedures had not been followed at the Faleolo Airport VIP terminal before the flight.

A source familiar with the matter said the Speaker and Minister initially claimed they were screened before boarding, but the other two passengers admitted they had not gone through security checks in Apia.

“It would appear the Speaker of the House and the Minister of Justice were not truthful”, says the correspondence seen by the Samoa Observer.

Air New Zealand staff were alerted to the possible breach shortly after takeoff. 

According to an email from Air New Zealand’s Samantha Imo-Munif, sent at 3:52 p.m., a request was made to Samoa Airport Authority General Manger, Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu for confirmation of whether the passengers had been screened.

A follow-up email at 5:05 p.m. confirmed that New Zealand’s Aviation Security Service (AVSEC) would meet the plane upon arrival in Auckland. 

Both emails went unanswered.

Upon landing, the four passengers were met by Air New Zealand staff and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officers. No evidence of security screening at the VIP terminal in Apia was provided during questioning.

A third email from Imo-Munif, sent the next day, detailed concerns about the Speaker and Minister’s lack of honesty during questioning. 

It was the other two passengers who admitted no security checks had been conducted prior to departure. 

All four passengers were later released.

The breach raised concerns about passenger safety. A lapse in screening procedures at the VIP terminal potentially exposed the 247 passengers and crew onboard to risk, according to safety protocol standards.

A directive from Samoa’s Cabinet allows for security screening exemptions for some passengers on Air New Zealand flights, but it does not extend to government officials such as the Speaker or Ministers.

Emails and calls to Tumanuvao and texts to the Speaker since Saturday have gone unanswered.