Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said his government found that the previous caretaker government had already agreed on the $10 million compensation from New Zealand for the Manawanui incident and intended to give only $2 million to the people.

However, he said his administration intends to first distribute funds directly to affected villages and individuals before allocating the rest to government ministries.

Speaking on a live broadcast, PM Laaulialemalietoa explained that under the caretaker government’s plan, $2 million of the compensation was designated for affected communities, with the remaining $8 million earmarked for government ministries responsible for implementing related programs.

“The new government came in and found that this plan was already in place. I discussed with the Deputy Prime Minister and the cabinet that this money should not be distributed prematurely. We will ensure the people directly affected are consulted first, and that their needs are prioritised,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that consultations will be held in all affected districts to guarantee fairness and transparency. “One consultation with those affected will make sure the money reaches the right people before it is formally transferred from the New Zealand Government to Samoa,” PM Laaulialemalietoa said.

The announcement highlights the new government’s commitment to prioritising direct support for communities while still ensuring ministries receive their designated share to carry out programs related to the compensation.