History of Samoan New Zealanders in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 9, 2025

Samoan New Zealanders form a significant ethnic minority in New Zealand, comprising immigrants, their descendants, and those of Samoan descent. The 2023 census recorded 213,069 individuals identifying as Samoan, with a notable portion born in Samoa or American Samoa. This community represents a vital part of New Zealand's multicultural landscape.

1914: New Zealand Administers Samoa

In 1914, New Zealand began administering the country of Samoa.

1924: Citizenship Eligibility

In 1924, Samoans born in Samoa, up until 1948, were later affected by the 2024 Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Act.

1936: Samoans in New Zealand

In 1936, the census recorded 279 Samoans residing in New Zealand.

1948: Citizenship Eligibility

In 1948, Samoans born in Samoa from 1924, were later affected by the 2024 Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Act.

1951: Samoans in New Zealand

In 1951, the census recorded 1,336 Samoans residing in New Zealand.

1962: End of New Zealand Administration

In 1962, New Zealand's administration of Samoa came to an end.

1976: Samoans in New Zealand

In 1976, the census recorded 19,711 Samoans residing in New Zealand.

1981: Samoans in New Zealand

In 1981, the census recorded 24,141 Samoans residing in New Zealand.

1982: Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act

In 1982, the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act granted citizenship to a number of Samoan-born residents.

1982: Citizenship Stripped

In 1982, the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act stripped some Samoans of their New Zealand citizenship.

1993: Taito Phillip Field Enters Parliament

In 1993, Taito Phillip Field, who was Samoan-born, became the first Pasifika member of parliament (MP), winning the Otara electorate seat for Labour.

2001: Samoans in New Zealand

In 2001, the census recorded 47,118 Samoans residing in New Zealand.

2002: Samoan Immigration Quota

Since 2002, 1,100 Samoans are granted entry into New Zealand each year under regulated quotas.

2006: Increase in Samoan Ethnic Group

Since the 2006 census, there was an increase of 51,618 people (39.4%) identifying as part of the Samoan ethnic group by 2018.

2013: New Zealand-Born Samoans

At the 2013 census, 62.7 percent of Samoan New Zealanders were born in New Zealand.

2013: Samoans in the Labour Force

At the 2013 census, 63.8 percent of Samoan New Zealanders were in the labour force, of which 15.3 percent were unemployed. The large employment industries of Samoans were manufacturing (17.3 percent), health care and social assistance (9.1 percent), and retail trade (8.7 percent).

2013: Samoan Language Speakers

In 2013, 56% of ethnic Samoan New Zealanders were able to speak the Samoan language.

2013: Religious Affiliation

In 2013, 83.4 percent of Samoans affiliated with at least one religion, compared with 55.0 percent for all New Zealanders.

2013: Increase in Samoan Ethnic Group

Since the 2013 census, there was an increase of 38,583 people (26.8%) identifying as part of the Samoan ethnic group by 2018.

2018: Samoan Language Ranking

As of 2018, Samoan is the third most-spoken language in New Zealand, behind English and Māori.

2018: Samoan Ethnic Group Census

At the 2018 New Zealand census, 182,721 people identified as being part of the Samoan ethnic group, making up 3.9% of New Zealand's population.

2023: Samoan Ethnicity in New Zealand

In the 2023 census, 213,069 New Zealanders identified as being of Samoan ethnicity. 55,512 stated they were born in Samoa, and 861 stated they were born in American Samoa.

2024: Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Act

In 2024, the Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Act provided a pathway to New Zealand citizenship for Samoans born in Samoa between 1924 and 1948, whose New Zealand citizenship was stripped in 1982 under the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act.