2 Aug 2012

Samoa MP says NZ PM receives land dispute petition

1:08 pm on 2 August 2012

A matai of Sapatuala village in Samoa and MP, Toeseulusulu Cedric Schuster, says the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, has received a written petition over the village's land dispute issue.

Toesulusulu says this happened after the New Zealand High Commissioner in Samoa was presented with the same petition.

Toesulusulu is reluctant to comment about the discussions with the High Commissioner but says the petition was not presented by the village council as planned because of Mr Key's tight schedule.

The New Zealand prime minister was in Apia to commemorate 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship.

However the MP says a meeting between the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and village matais last week has led to further negotiations.

Mr Key told reporters the Satapuala land issue is an internal matter.