Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's capital Apia has had a facelift which opened yesterday just in time for the Pacific Games which begins this weekend.

Apia's waterfront and downtown area have had a $US4 million makeover which was jointly funded by the New Zealand government and the Global Climate Fund.

The project has taken 12 months to complete and the New Zealand High Commission's Luatua Pati said Apia's waterfront is a truly special place which embraces Samoa's "history, heritage, arts and culture".