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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Refuses To Say If He Tried To Call Off Samoa Matai Ceremony
Lillian Hanly, Political reporter
The furore over Christopher Luxon's new matai title is refusing to go away, after local media in Samoa reported there was a late night phone call saying he didn't want to go ahead with it after "too much interference on social media".
Luxon refused to answer questions about the reports on Tuesday, saying he wanted to move on from the issue.
The Samoan Observer reported on Tuesday morning Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said he'd received a phone call at about 3am from Samoa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs CEO, informing him Luxon didn't want to proceed with the bestowal of the title Tuisinavemaulumoto'otua.
The report stated Schmidt was told Luxon had decided not to go ahead because of "too much interference on social media". It also said there were discussions that continued into the night, and early Monday morning before the ceremony eventually proceeded.
Schmidt had said he'd told those involved that Samoa had prepared for the ceremony and that he'd urged Luxon not to be concerned about online criticism.
It comes after Luxon's office denied reports that he requested to be given a matai title ahead of his visit to Samoa.
Samoa's government had to clarify on Monday morning that neither Luxon nor his representatives had requested he be given an honour, shortly before the presentation.
Luxon's since said it was a "miscommunication" and both he and the Samoan prime minister had moved on.
Asked on Tuesday about the Samoan Observer report, Luxon wouldn't say if a phone call had taken place, instead saying he had "nothing further to add".
"The prime minister issued a statement yesterday," said Luxon, "I'm going to leave it there".
"Again, I'm sorry guys, I'm just not going there."
Asked if it had damaged trust between the two nations, Luxon said a very good relationship had been established through this visit, calling it a very successful trip.
Luxon said there'd been conversations around health, education and the border, and good connections made between the counterparts and cabinet ministers.
Luxon rejected the notion there was "confusion", saying in the conversations that had occurred, "we've moved our conversation to things that actually matter for the Samoan people".
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