The threat of violence delayed flights and affected thousands of motorists who were stopped as police tried to clear the roadblock.
An Air New Zealand spokesman said the altercation happened on Thursday afternoon New Zealand time.
"Passengers arriving from Auckland around this time were encouraged to remain at the airport for a short time until it was established police had dealt with the situation and traffic was flowing freely once more."
The aircraft returned to Auckland with only a slight delay. Flights to and from Apia yesterday were not affected by this incident and tonight's flights are scheduled to operate as normal.
Violence flared over a long-running land dispute between the Satapuala village and the Samoan Government.
A village matai or chief, Vaili Mimita, told the Samoa Observer that the village had gathered around the roadblock area when the police arrived.
"They came and they fired gunshots into the air as a warning. When we moved up close to them, they warned our village with more gunshots."
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi angered villagers by saying "this sort of stupidity is indicative of the uneducated leadership of Satapuala".
In a radio broadcast, he added: "Government will not sit by idle while thugs run amok on the streets.
"Who do they think they are blocking public roads and holding up motorists and tourists?"
