Pacific Island Migration

1. Pacific Island Migration • In the 1950’s there was a 2nd wave of migration (Maori were the first) • Migration continued steadily until reaching a peak in the 1970’s • 2006 census: 265,974 Pacific Islanders • ‘Tangata Pasifika’ means people of the Pacific

2. Reasons for migration • Between 1908 & 1948: New Zealand controlled the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau • This allowed these nations to be given the same rights as NZ citizens (free entry to NZ)

3. Migration to NZ popular in 60’s and 70’s because… • New Zealand industries were short of workers • Natural hazards (e.g cyclones) in the Pacific Islands made life difficult • Large population increase in the Pacific Islands • Poor economies in the Pacific Islands

4. In the 1970’s, concerns arose over NZ’s open Pacific migration policy and the availability for jobs for migrants National Party advertisement • In its campaign for the 1975 election, the National Party, under its new leader Robert Muldoon, screened powerful advertisements prepared by the American cartoon makers, Hanna Barbera. This one was a response to the increased immigration from the Pacific Islands.

5. Pacific-born people in New Zealand, 1961–2001 TASK Using the information in the graph, list 3 generalisations on Pacific migrants during this period Pacific-born people in New Zealand, 1961–2001 • This graph shows the rise in numbers of those born in the Pacific. Over the period the total increased by over 100,000, from just over 14,000. Even this underestimates the impact of Pacific peoples, since by 2001 if those born in New Zealand were also included, the total number of those with Pacific ethnicity was 231,801. Source: New Zealand census, 1961–2001

6. Pacific Islanders are part of our national culture/identity in… • Sport • Art • Food • Design • Festivals/ events • Music, television and film

8. Pacific Island populations in New Zealand, 2006 Census