Government and Opposition MPs have found common ground on the need to protect business opportunities for Samoan citizens, as Parliament debated major amendments to Samoa’s foreign investment laws.

The Central Bank of Samoa Amendment Bill 2026 has passed its second reading in Parliament despite opposition from the HRPP, with Minister of Finance Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo giving a detailed defence of the reforms and insisting they will not diminish the independence of the Central Bank of Samoa.

The Prime Minister made an important point in Parliament today during debate on the Central Bank of Samoa Amendment Bill 2026: Samoa cannot simply rely on the way things have always been done when the financial world around us continues to change. I agree.

The Government has announced a reshuffle of Cabinet responsibilities, with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt taking direct responsibility for a significant group of infrastructure, transport and state-owned entities. The changes also formally confirm Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo as Deputy Prime Minister and bring Hon. Tea Tooala Peato into Cabinet as a Minister.

The Land Transport Authority has clarified that the Toyota Hilux formerly registered as LTA23 remains the property of the Government of Samoa, following questions over its change to private registration plates and its use by the Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser, Apulu Lance Polu.

For more than 24 hours, New Zealand faced the very real possibility that it could end Wednesday with a different Prime Minister.

The Government of Samoa has responded to growing scrutiny over withdrawals from District Development Programme (DDP) accounts, saying public money must be accounted for, but withdrawals alone should not be characterised as corruption without evidence.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt has delivered a firm message to students of the National University of Samoa, following violent confrontations on campus that resulted in a police investigation and disciplinary action by the university.

The Opportunity Party, formerly known as TOP, is emerging as one of the parties to watch heading into the 2026 General Election.