Story by Geoff Bertram

Main image: South Pacific travel brochure, 1960s

Pacific neighbours

North of New Zealand are many islands and island groups, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

In the early 20th century New Zealand took over governing Cook Islands, Niue, Western Samoa and Tokelau. Western Samoa became fully independent in 1962, but the other countries remain connected to New Zealand.

Trade with the Pacific

New Zealand does not import very much from the Pacific Islands.

In the early 20th century it imported sugar cane from Fiji, which was processed into sugar in Auckland. However, since 1960 most sugar cane has come from Australia.

Rock phosphate was imported from Pacific islands, especially Banaba (Ocean Island) and Nauru, to make fertiliser. Since the 1980s most of New Zealand’s phosphate has come from North Africa.

Small amounts of fruit and vegetables were imported from Pacific islands, and some tailored clothing.

The main exports from New Zealand to the Pacific Islands are meat products, including canned corned beef.

Aid

Since the 1960s New Zealand has given about half of its overseas aid money to the Pacific Islands.

Remittances

Sending remittances – gifts of money from migrants to their relatives – is a common practice for Pacific Islanders living in New Zealand. This money is a significant part of the economies of many Pacific islands.

Tourism

Tourism is important for countries such as Fiji and Cook Islands. More than 20% of tourists are from New Zealand.