Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa (file) Photo: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is in good spirits after a surgical procedure in New Zealand last week.
Fiame was due to return to Apia after after attending the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai but stopped over in Auckland for her medical procedure.
The Samoa Observer reported Acting Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio confirmed that Fiame is fine.
"She is recovering well, it's a known injury that reappeared and sometimes these things happen," Tuala said in an interview with the Samoa Observer
He said last time the recovery period was around four weeks and he believes this is set to be the same.
Talamua Online reported on Tuesday that a family member told them Fiame was eager to return home to attend Parliament's last sitting for the year, but was advised otherwise.
"The relative said it was not the first time Fiame has had surgery after attending an international conference," according to Talamua Online's report.
"The relative said that an old back injury had caused Fiame pain now and then and it was good she went through surgery to rectify the problem.
The relative said although she will be missed in some families' activities scheduled for the holidays, she is glad however for her to remain in New Zealand until the doctors have cleared her to return home," it added.