Apia, SAMOA — A Samoan government minister has been taken to New Zealand by air ambulance for heart treatment.

Newsline Samoa reports a special Cabinet meeting on Sunday approved the emergency medical evacuation for the 63-year-old Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo.

The air ambulance costs, about $US27,000, are met under the Government health evacuation programme.

Leatinu'u took over recently as acting Prime Minister while the Prime Minister was overseas.