Samoa s parliament has passed three laws that fundamentally alter the country s constitution and judicial system.
The proposals were widely condemned by lawyers and judges, and saw several MPs - including the former deputy prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata afa - leave the ruling party.
Samoa s parliament
Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
But in Tuesday s sitting of parliament, they passed with the support of 41 MPs from the Human Rights Protection Party with only one amendment - a plan to cap at five the number of high chiefs in a family was removed.
The new laws elevate the Land and Titles Court - which deals with customary land and matai disputes - into a stand-alone judiciary equal in standing to the Supreme Court, which removes the high court as an avenue of appeal.
Dame Meg Taylor.
Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Forum meeting postponed
This is after many of the leaders could not commit to this week s dates.
The virtual meeting, scheduled for 16-18 December, was expected to discuss how member states are coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The meeting was also to appoint the new Secretary-general.
Papua New Guinea s Dame Meg Taylor ends her tenure at the secretariat next month.
Tahiti Covid-19 death toll now 96
French Polynesia has recorded five more Covid-19 deaths, raising the toll to 96.
There are 60 people in hospital for covid-related symptoms with 22 of them in intensive care.
A total of 15,747 people have been infected since testing began in March.