Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has backtracked from comments he made on local media about New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon requesting a matai title.

In a statement released on Monday morning, La’aulialemalietoa said he would like to confirm that neither the New Zealand Prime Minister nor any of his representatives requested that a matai title be bestowed on Luxon during his visit to Samoa.

La’aulialemalietoa made the comments on a local media talk show, saying the request was made through the New Zealand High Commission in Samoa.

He had further stated that as a matai, Luxon will be obligated to make decisions favouring Samoa, especially with visa issues.

These claims were denied by Luxon’s office, and it was made clear that neither the New Zealand Prime Minister nor the High Commission had made any such requests.

“A title bestowal for visiting leaders is a traditional courtesy to be extended by the Government of Samoa. In this regard, it was always the Government’s intention to extend this honour to Prime Minister Luxon,” said the government statement.

“Furthermore, the Hon. La’aulialemalietoa confirms that it was never intended that the bestowal of a matai title would place an obligation on PM Luxon with respect to New Zealand Government decisions, including on immigration policy.”