[1] The by-election was triggered by the death of the incumbent member of parliament Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), in November 2022.

[2] A constituency widely considered an HRPP stronghold, former shipping executive Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai of the ruling Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party won the by-election with 56%.

Three candidates qualified to contest the by-election: former Samoa First Party leader Feagaimaalii Bruce Toomalatai as an Independent, former Samoa Shipping Corporation general manager and nephew of former prime minister Vaʻai Kolone, Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai of the governing FAST party[3][4] and Samau Leatigagaeono Timani of the opposition HRPP.

[6] Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai of the FAST party, who unsuccessfully contested the 2016 general election, resigned from his position as chief executive of the Samoa Shipping Corporation before the poll.

The independent candidate also expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of funding the Vaimauga 3 development committee received, which was WS$150,000, which he believed was inadequate.

Lautimuia's victory was notable due to the constituency's reputation as an HRPP stronghold, and his win increased FAST's parliamentary majority to 32 seats.