It’s over 100 years since Britain asked New Zealand to undertake a "great and urgent Imperial service" and occupy Samoa, which until then had been administered by Germany. A 1,400-strong New Zealand Expeditionary Force landed at Apia on 29 August 1914, with no resistance from the German officials or the Samoan population. This was New Zealand’s first role in World War I, and Samoa was under the trusteeship of New Zealand from 1919 until it became independent in 1962 – the first Pacific island country to achieve independence. In the same year we signed a Treaty of Friendship, and have had close relations ever since.
We have more than 144,000 Samoans living in New Zealand – making up 49% of our Pacific Island population. Under a special immigration quota, up to 1,100 Samoans can get permanent resident status here each year. This is on top of the number coming to New Zealand under normal immigration arrangements.
Samoan is the most common Pacific language delivered in our schools, and 33 schools offered the primary and secondary curriculum in Samoan in 2013. Samoa’s art, culture, sport, language and politics make an important contribution to New Zealand. We in turn contribute to Samoa’s economy and social services with a wide range of aid initiatives.
Samoa doesn’t have its own military forces. New Zealand's air force is involved with maritime surveillance over Samoa’s EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), often with Samoan officials on board. In addition our Air Force planes and Navy vessels make regular visits to Samoa.
The New Zealand Police and Samoa Police and Prison Service share a long, close association. Our police force supports Samoa’s domestic violence unit and canine unit, and trains Samoan police in prosecutions and maintaining public order.
Samoa’s land mass covers 2,820 square kilometres, spread over nine islands to the northeast of Fiji. The two large islands, Upolu and Savai’i, are home to 99% of the 196,315 population. The capital Apia is on Upolu.
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Total trade in goods (2017) |
NZ$115 million |
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Exports to Samoa (2017) |
NZ$109 million |
Top exports: Machinery and equipment; Wood and articles of wood; Industrial supplies; Foodstuffs |
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Imports from Samoa (2017) |
NZ$6.77 million |
Top imports: Edible vegetables; Beverages; Edible fruits and nuts |
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GDP (2018) |
NZ$1.3 billion |
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| GDP per capita (2018) | NZ$6.630 | |
| GDP growth (2017) | 2.5% | |
The Samoan Government is serious about changing the trade imbalance between our two countries. In 2011, it launched the Auckland-based New Zealand Samoa Trade and Investment Commission to facilitate, strengthen and increase the flow of trade and investment between New Zealand and Samoa.
Tourism is Samoa’s top foreign exchange earner, and New Zealand is Samoa’s largest source of tourism income with Kiwis making up around 45% of holidaymakers.
More than 144,000 Samoans live in New Zealand, and the money they send home (called remittances) to Samoa is an important source of income for the country.
The New Zealand Aid Programme works with Samoa to boost productivity through developing tourism and renewable energy, and improvements to health and education.
Find out more about our aid programme in Samoa
Samoans can come to New Zealand to work in our horticulture and wine industries under the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme. The money they earn and send home is an important source of income for Samoa.
Find out more about the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (external link)
The New Zealand High Commission co-hosted the Samoan premiere of One Thousand Ropes.
New rules on South Pacific bottom fishing will significantly improve management of deep water fisheries and reduce the impact on the marine environment.
Remarks by Deputy Secretary Pacific and Development Group Jonathan Kings at event hosted by New Zealand Aid and Development Dialogues at Victoria University, Wellington, 5 July 2018