New Zealand–Samoa Relations
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New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
and
Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabited ...
have had close relations based on a treaty of friendship between the two countries since Samoa became independent in 1962. New Zealand administered Samoa under a
League of Nations mandate A League of Nations mandate represented a legal status under international law for specific territories following World War I, involving the transfer of control from one nation to another. These mandates served as legal documents establishing th ...
then a
United Nations trusteeship Chapter XII of the United Nations Charter deals with the international trusteeship system. It reaffirms the twin goals mentioned in Chapter XI to "promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the inhabitants of the t ...
from 1920 to 1961. Both nations are members of the
Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations, often referred to as the British Commonwealth or simply the Commonwealth, is an International organization, international association of member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, 56 member states, the vast majo ...
and the
Pacific Islands Forum The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is an inter-governmental organisation that aims to enhance cooperation among countries and territories of Oceania, including formation of a trade bloc and regional peacekeeping operations. It was founded in 197 ...
.


History


New Zealand occupation of Samoa

Initial contact between the people of New Zealand and Samoa began in the 1800s with the arrival of missionaries from the
London Missionary Society The London Missionary Society was an interdenominational evangelical missionary society formed in England in 1795 at the instigation of Welsh Congregationalist minister Edward Williams. It was largely Reformed tradition, Reformed in outlook, with ...
who travelled to New Zealand and then to Samoa proselytising. In December 1899, Western Samoa (comprising the islands of
Upolu Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long and in area, making it the second largest of the Samoan Islands by area. With approximate ...
and Savai'i) became a German protectorate and was known as ''
German Samoa German Samoa officially Malo Kaisalika / Kingdom of Samoa (; Samoan: ''Malo Kaisalika'') was a German protectorate from 1900 to 1920, consisting of the islands of Upolu, Savai'i, Apolima and Manono, now wholly within the Independent State ...
'' ( Eastern Samoa was administered by the
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
). In August 1914, during
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, an expeditionary force from New Zealand took control of German Samoa unopposed.In 1919, the
League of Nations The League of Nations (LN or LoN; , SdN) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920), Paris Peace ...
granted New Zealand mandate to administer Western Samoa under a League of Nation mandate. Between 1918 and 1919, inhabitants of Western Samoa became infected by a pneumonic influenza which killed 8,500 residents (approx. 22% of the total population). This influenza led to increased desire for Samoans to obtain their independence.


Nationalism and independence

The Mau movement began with a non-violent protest movement that was led by the chiefs of Savaii who were also known as Pule. The Mau a Pule is the original Mau for Samoan independence. This Mau was led by the Chief from Safotulafai, Faasaleleaga on the big island of Savaii, Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe. The Mau a Pule resulted in German governor Solf ordering the exile of the chiefs of Pule who all supported the Mau movement to Saipan. The leaders of the Mau a Pule agreed to be taken to Saipan in order to avoid bloodshed. After Germany lost World War I, the chiefs of Pule who were in Saipan were returned to Samoa. On the way home, Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe died en route and was buried in Tarawa. His bones were later returned to Savaii where they now rest in Fogapoa. By 1929, the Mau movement became well known in Western Samoa an increased their efforts for Samoan independence, led by
Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-ā'ana III (4 May 1901 – 29 December 1929) was a Fa'amatai, paramount chief of Samoa, holder of the Tupua Tamasese dynastic title and became the leader of the country's pro-independence Mau movement from early 1928 unt ...
. On 28 December 1929, a peaceful demonstration assembled in the capital Apia. Soon afterwards, some of the demonstrators began to throw stones at the police nearby. At that moment, the police began to fire at the demonstrators killing 11 people, including Tupua Tamasese Lealofi. One police officer was also killed in the violence. The day was to be known as ''Black Saturday''. In 1936, the Mau was recognised as a legitimate political organisation. They soon held majorities in both a newly elected
Fono of Faipule The Legislative Assembly (), also known as the Parliament of Samoa (), is the national legislature of Samoa, seated at Apia, where the country's central administration is situated. Samoan Parliament is composed of two parts: the O le Ao o le Ma ...
and the legislative assembly. Independence for Western Samoa was delayed due to the
Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...
and
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. After the Second World War, the newly created
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
led efforts in New Zealand to grant Samoa independence as part of the
decolonization Decolonization is the undoing of colonialism, the latter being the process whereby Imperialism, imperial nations establish and dominate foreign territories, often overseas. The meanings and applications of the term are disputed. Some scholar ...
process. On 1 January 1962, Samoa obtained its independence from New Zealand, the first Pacific island country to achieve independence. The Samoan independence celebration was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister
Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake (11 February 1904 – 8 December 1983) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 26th prime minister of New Zealand, serving for a brief period in 1957 and then from 1960 to 1972, and also as the 13th governor-g ...
.


''Treaty of Friendship''

In August 1962, a ''Treaty of Friendship'' (''Feagaiga o Uō'' in Samoan) was signed between both nations. The treaty contains seven articles which are as follows: Article I: Relations between New Zealand and Western Samoa shall continue to be governed by a spirit of close friendship. Article II: Where appropriate the two Governments shall consult each other on matters of mutual interest and concern. Article III: Each Government shall ensure that citizens of the other living within its territory are, in accordance with the normal practice between friendly states, given equitable treatment and full legal protection and access to the Courts. Article IV: The two Governments shall continue to work together to promote the welfare of the people of Western Samoa. In particular the Government of New Zealand will consider sympathetically requests from the Government of Western Samoa for technical, administrative and other assistance. In particular the Government of New Zealand will: *(a) When requested, act as the channel for communications between the Government of Western Samoa and other Governments and international organisations; *(b) When requested, and where permissible and appropriate, undertake the representation of the Government of Western Samoa at any international conference at which Western Samoa is entitled to be represented; *(c) When requested, supply Western Samoa with information concerning international affairs; *(d) Undertake the diplomatic protection of nationals of Western Samoa in other countries and perform consular functions on their behalf. Article V: The Government of New Zealand shall, for as long as the Government of Western Samoa wishes, and in such manner as will in no way impair the right of the Government of Western Samoa to formulate its own foreign policies, afford assistance to the Government of Western Samoa in the conduct of its international relations. Article VI: Either Government may at any time give to the other Government written notice of its desire to terminate the Agreement. In such case, the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of three months from the date on which the notice is received. Article VII: The Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature.


Citizenship status of Samoan subjects

In 1982, the Privy Council granted citizenship to Western Samoan citizens born since 1924 when the nation was under New Zealand mandate. However, the New Zealand government did not accept the decision and instead granted New Zealand citizenship to Samoan citizens who were living in New Zealand on 14 September 1982. This occurred when a Samoan woman by the name of Falema‘i Lesa overstayed her visa in New Zealand and pressed her claim to be a
New Zealand citizen The primary law governing nationality of New Zealand is the Citizenship Act 1977, which Coming into force, came into force on 1 January 1978. Regulations apply to the entire Realm of New Zealand, which includes the country of New Zealand itse ...
. The Privy Council ruled that all Western Samoans born between 1924 and 1948 were British subjects and that in 1949 they and their descendants had become New Zealand citizens.Privy Council rules on Samoan citizenship
/ref> In response, the
Third National Government Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', i.e., the third in a series of fractional parts in a sexagesimal number system Places * 3rd Street (dis ...
led by
Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
Robert Muldoon Sir Robert David Muldoon (; 25 September 19215 August 1992) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 31st prime minister of New Zealand, from 1975 to 1984, while leader of the National Party. Departing from National Party convention, Mu ...
abolished that right by passing the
Western Samoa Citizenship Act 1982 Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US * Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia * Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that ...
, which effectively overturned the Privy Council's ruling. This ruling was upheld by successive New Zealand governments until November 2024. On 20 November 1984, the
New Zealand Parliament The New Zealand Parliament () is the unicameral legislature of New Zealand, consisting of the Monarchy of New Zealand, Sovereign and the New Zealand House of Representatives. The King is usually represented by his Governor-General of New Zeal ...
passed
legislation Legislation is the process or result of enrolling, enacting, or promulgating laws by a legislature, parliament, or analogous governing body. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be broadly referred ...
restoring the right to New Zealand citizenship for individuals born in Samoa between 1924 and 1949.


2024 HMNZS ''Manawanui'' sinking

On 5 October 2024, the
Royal New Zealand Navy The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN; ) is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. The fleet currently consists of eight ships. The Navy had its origins in the Naval Defence Act 1913, and the subsequent acquisition of the cruiser , whi ...
ship HMNZS ''Manawanui'' ran aground and sunk off the coast of
Siumu Si’umu is a village on the central south coast of Upolu island in Samoa. The population is 1183. There is also a sub-village Siumu Uta which has a population of 304. Siumu Electoral Constituency Siumu Electoral Constituency (''Faipule District' ...
on the southern coast of Samoa's
Upolu Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long and in area, making it the second largest of the Samoan Islands by area. With approximate ...
island. The ''Manawanui'' had been surveying a nearby reef and was caught up in a storm. The sinking of the ''Manawanui'' polluted the surrounding sea and disrupted the livelihoods of local communities in the Safata district, who were unable to fish due to restrictions around the wreckage site. On 15 October 2024,
New Zealand Prime Minister The prime minister of New Zealand () is the head of government of New Zealand. The prime minister, Christopher Luxon, leader of the New Zealand National Party, took office on 27 November 2023. The prime minister (informally abbreviated to ...
Christopher Luxon Christopher Mark Luxon (; born 19 July 1970) is a New Zealand politician and former business executive who has served as the 42nd prime minister of New Zealand since 2023 and as leader of the National Party since 2021. He previously served ...
formally apologised to the Samoan Prime Minister
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataafa (; born 29 April 1957) is a Samoan politician and High Chief (''Faʻamatai, matai'') who has served as the seventh prime minister of Samoa, Prime Minister of Samoa since 2021. The daughter of Samoa's first Prime Mi ...
and acting prime minister for the sinking of ''Manawanui''. The
New Zealand Defence Force The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF; , "Line of Defence of New Zealand") is the three-branched military of New Zealand. The NZDF is responsible for the protection of the national security of New Zealand and its realm, promoting its interests, ...
(NZDF) also launched salvage operation called Operation Resolution with the support of the Samoan government,
Maritime New Zealand Maritime New Zealand (New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority) is a Crown entity and also a state maritime safety authority responsible for protecting the maritime transport sequence and marine environment within New Zealand and maintaining safet ...
and Samoa's Maritime Pollution Advisory Committee (MPAC). By 23 October, the NZDF, Samoan authorities and local contractor Ark Marine had removed three containers from a nearby reef. By 25 January 2025, the Samoan and New Zealand governments were discussing compensation over the ''Manawanui'' sinking at the request of affected communities. By 7 February 2025, salvage teams had removed two cycles of fuel from the sunken ship.


Bilateral relations and contacts

Samoa currently does not maintain its own military forces. New Zealand regularly patrols Samoan waters and airspace with the permission of the Samoan government. There have been numerous official visits between leaders of both nations. In 2002, New Zealand Prime Minister
Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark (born 26 February 1950) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 37th prime minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008 and was the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017. She was ...
came to Samoa and officially apologised for New Zealand's treatment of Samoans during colonial times. In March 2018 New Zealand Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern Dame Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern ( ; born 26 July 1980) is a New Zealand politician and activist who was the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, leader of the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023. She was ...
and Foreign Minister
Winston Peters Winston Raymond Peters (born 11 April 1945) is a New Zealand politician. He has led the political party New Zealand First since he founded it in 1993, and since November 2023 has served as the 25th Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand), ...
led a Pacific Mission to Samoa. While in Samoa the Prime Minister met with the Samoan Prime Minister, other ministers and attended a number of climate change and disaster resilience related events. In May 2019, Samoan Deputy Prime Minister
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataafa (; born 29 April 1957) is a Samoan politician and High Chief (''Faʻamatai, matai'') who has served as the seventh prime minister of Samoa, Prime Minister of Samoa since 2021. The daughter of Samoa's first Prime Mi ...
visited New Zealand to attend and speak at the
Just Transition Just transition is a concept that emerged in the 1980s through efforts by U.S. trade unions to protect workers' rights and livelihoods as economies shift to sustainable production, primarily protecting workers affected by environmental regulati ...
Summit in New Plymouth and met with Prime Minister Ardern, Foreign Minister Peters, Minister Shaw, Minister Genter and members of the Pacific Caucus. In mid-June 2022, Prime Minister Fiamē visited New Zealand to affirm bilateral relations and cooperation in the areas of climate change,
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
and regional cooperation through the
Pacific Islands Forum The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is an inter-governmental organisation that aims to enhance cooperation among countries and territories of Oceania, including formation of a trade bloc and regional peacekeeping operations. It was founded in 197 ...
. Since Samoa had recently signed several bilateral economic and cultural agreements with China, Fiamē sought to reassure her New Zealand counterparts that Samoa was not seeking to pursue military cooperation with China. Fiamē also visited Samoan seasonal horticultural workers in the
Hawke's Bay Hawke's Bay () is a region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. The region is named for Hawke Bay, which was named in honour of Edward Hawke. The region's main centres are the cities of Napier and Hastings, while the more rural ...
region during her New Zealand visit. In early August, Fiamē hosted a New Zealand delegation led by Ardern. During the trip, the two leaders discussed issues of concern to New Zealand–Samoan relations including climate change, economic resilience, COVID-19, health and Samoan seasonal workers. During the meeting, Ardern confirmed that New Zealand would contribute NZ$15 million in aid to support Samoa's
climate change mitigation Climate change mitigation (or decarbonisation) is action to limit the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that cause climate change. Climate change mitigation actions include energy conservation, conserving energy and Fossil fuel phase-out, repl ...
efforts and NZ$12m to rebuild
Apia Apia () is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Samoa. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō'') of Tuamasaga. The Apia Urban A ...
's historical Savalalo Market, which had been destroyed by a fire.


Migration

The 1874 New Zealand census recorded 6 Samoans in New Zealand. Numbers have increased steadily ever since, to 279 in 1936, 1,336 in 1951, 19,711 in 1976, 24,141 in 1981, and 47,118 in 2001. There were 182,721 people identifying as being part of the Samoan ethnic group at the
2018 New Zealand census The 2018 New Zealand census, which took place on Tuesday 6 March 2018, was the thirty-fourth national census in New Zealand. The population of New Zealand was counted as 4,699,755 – an increase of 457,707 (10.79%) over the 2013 census. Resu ...
, making up 3.9% of New Zealand's population. This is an increase of 38,583 people (26.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 51,618 people (39.4%) since the 2006 census. Some of the increase between the 2013 and 2018 census was due to
Statistics New Zealand Statistics New Zealand (), branded as Stats NZ, is the public service department of New Zealand charged with the collection of statistics related to the economy, population and society of New Zealand. To this end, Stats NZ produces New Zealand c ...
adding ethnicity data from other sources (previous censuses, administrative data, and imputation) to the 2018 census data to reduce the number of non-responses. New Zealand is home to the second largest Samoan community outside of Samoa (after the United States).


Trade and aid relations

In 2011, the Samoan government launched the New Zealand Samoa Trade and Investment Commission to facilitate and increase the flow of trade between both nations. In 2015, New Zealand provided $27 million NZ dollars to Samoa. Much of New Zealand's aid to Samoa is to assist the tourism, energy, education, law and justice, and health programs. In 2018, trade between New Zealand and Samoa totaled NZ$401 million. New Zealand exports to Samoa include: machinery and equipment; wood and articles of wood; industrial supplies; and foodstuffs. Samoan exports to New Zealand include: edible vegetables; beverages; edible fruits and nuts. New Zealand and Samoa ratified the
PACER Plus PACER Plus is a free trade agreement between members of the Pacific Islands Forum (the Forum Island Countries plus Australia and New Zealand). The agreement expands the existing Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) to include fu ...
agreement, which came into force on 13 December 2020. There are direct flights between both nations through the following airlines:
Air New Zealand Air New Zealand Limited () is the flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 20 domestic and 28 international destinations in 18 countries, primarily within the Pacific Rim. The airline h ...
and
Samoa Airways Samoa Airways, formerly Polynesian Airlines, is the flag carrier of Samoa. The airline was founded in 1959 as "Polynesian Airlines", providing domestic and international flights throughout the South Pacific. International operations were tempor ...
.


Resident diplomatic missions

* New Zealand has a high commission in
Apia Apia () is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Samoa. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō'') of Tuamasaga. The Apia Urban A ...
. * Samoa has a high commission in
Wellington Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the third-largest city in New Zealand (second largest in the North Island ...
and a consulate-general in
Auckland Auckland ( ; ) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of about It is located in the greater Auckland Region, the area governed by Auckland Council, which includes outlying rural areas and ...
.


See also

*
List of colonial governors of Samoa This article lists the colonial governors of Samoa (or Western Samoa), from the establishment of German Samoa in 1900 until the independence of the Western Samoa Trust Territory in 1962. List (Dates in italics indicate ''de facto'' co ...
*
List of high commissioners of New Zealand to Samoa The high commissioner of New Zealand to Samoa is New Zealand's foremost diplomatic representative in Samoa, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission in Samoa. The high commission is located in Apia, Samoa's capital city. New Zealand h ...
*
Samoan New Zealanders Samoan New Zealanders are Samoan immigrants in New Zealand, their descendants, and New Zealanders of Samoan ethnic descent. They constitute one of New Zealand's most sizeable ethnic minorities. In the 2018 census, 182,721 New Zealanders identifie ...


References


Bibliography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:New Zealand-Samoa relations New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Nations Samoa and the Commonwealth of Nations