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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 2013 census, 144,138 New Zealanders identified themselves as being of Samoan ethnicity with 50,658 stating that they were born in Samoa, and 636 stating that they were born in American Samoa.^[1]

History

Overview

The country of Samoa (distinct from American Samoa) has a unique historical relationship with New Zealand, having been administered by New Zealand from 1914 to 1962.

Notable levels of Samoan migration to New Zealand began in the 1950s. In the 1970s, Samoan illegal immigrants were the targets of notorious "dawn raids" by the police, which led to accusations of ethnic bias in tackling illicit immigration. That same decade, some Samoan New Zealanders joined the newborn Polynesian Panthers, an organisation dedicated to supporting Pacific Islander New Zealanders, for example by providing information on their legal rights.^[2] The number of Samoan-born residents in New Zealand doubled to over 24,000 during the 1970s.^[2]

In 1982, a number of Samoan-born residents were granted citizenship with the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act. Samoan immigration in New Zealand has subsequently been regulated by quotas. Since 2002, 1,100 Samoans are granted entry each year.^[2]

Demographics

The 1874 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.^[1]

A majority of New Zealanders of Samoan ethnicity today are New Zealand-born.^[2] At the 2013 census, 62.7 percent of Samoan New Zealanders were born in New Zealand. Of the overseas-born population, 84 percent had been living in New Zealand for at least five years, and 48 percent had been living in New Zealand for at least 20 years.^[3]

Two-thirds (66.5 percent) of Samoan New Zealanders live in the Auckland Region, with 15.5 percent living in the Wellington Region, 10.9 percent elsewhere in the North Island and 7.1 percent in the South Island. Just under 94 percent live in a main urban area (i.e. population 30,000 or more). Of those living in Auckland, 50.8 percent live in the Mangere-Otahuhu, Otara-Papatoetoe and Manurewa local board areas.^[3]

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).^[3]

Culture

In 2001, 64% of ethnic Samoan New Zealanders were able to speak the Samoan language.^[4] Samoan is the third most-spoken language in New Zealand, behind English and Maori.^[5]

Samoan cultural values, the "Samoan way of life" (fa‘asamoa), are reportedly retained particularly by elderly members of the community, and include respect and mutual help within the extended family (‘aiga), as well as fa‘alavelave (ceremonial and family obligations), and attendance at a Christian church.^[4] In 2013, 83.4 percent of Samoans affiliated with at least one religion, compared with 55.0 percent for all New Zealanders.^[3]

Traditional tattooing (tatau) is embraced by some Samoan New Zealanders, both men and women, as an expression of cultural identity.^[6]

Samoans have contributed significantly to New Zealand culture in the fields of art, music, literature and sport.^[7]

Growing Tensions

With so many ethnicities in one place, tensions, and disagreements are inevitable, considering the fact that each group has their own opinion about their identity and culture. According to the article "Ambivalent Kinships? Pacific People in New Zealand", written by authors Teresia Teaiwa and Sean Mallon, they talked about how some tensions arose when the Tangata Whenua in New Zealand opposed the growing amount of Pakeha immigrating to New Zealand, fearing that New Zealand would lose its European culture and identity and become just another "Pacific Island" economically and socially. Because the Samoan migrants continued to grow rapidly in New Zealand, the Tangata Whenua continued to have tensions amongst each other. They feared that in the increase in population would make their scarce resources much more scarce.

Despite the growing tensions that the Tangata Whenua had amongst the Samoans, who were considered half the population of outsiders in New Zealand, all islanders used sports, mainly rugby and football, television shows, and theatre plays. "it is in rugby, theatre, and television that there are overt engagements and debates around notions of national identity." (Teaiwa & Mallon, pg 208) ^[8] Samoans were exceptional in the sport of Rugby, with the world-renowned All-Black Rugby team making headline news around the world. Because of this sport, "All Blacks represented as the coming together of people" (Teaiwa & Mallon, pg 212) It viewed as a multicultural image of New Zealand where both Maori and Samoan would compete against the world’s best.

Television shows were also used to establish the identity of the Samoans and share the important stories of their identity. An example of a television show is "Bro Town", a show that stars 3 different Samoan teenagers and how they use their identity and culture to fit in their daily lives. This show also portrays the type of issues and tensions that has happened within the community and transforms them into a humorous and comedic way for viewers to enjoy. (Teaiwa & Mallon, pg 221) Oscar Kightley, a Samoan born, yet who lived most of his life in New Zealand voiced one of the boys in "Bro Town". His resume also included being a sports commentator, author of Niu Sila, and also member of the Naked Samoans.

Lastly, theatre plays were used to further show their identity. Some notable plays are "Unlikely Places" by Gordon Dryland, a play that focused on the cultural friction and tension between the New Zealander and the Samoans. "Niu Sila"^[9] is a story about a friendship spanning over thirty years, two cultures and one multicultural neighbourhood. "In 1970s New Zealand, six-year-old Ioane Tafioka, a fresh off the boat from the island of Samoa, moves in next door to six-year-old Niuen kid Peter Burton."^[10] They begin an unlikely friendship that will change their lives. These plays helped distinguish the growing tensions the Samoans had between the New Zealanders. At the same time, it helped bring a sense of unity between all islanders.

Notable Samoan New Zealanders

Tana Umaga, of the All Blacks

Scribe (rapper)

Arts

• 
  Aaradhna – R&B artist (Samoan mother, Indian father)


• 
  Adeaze – R&B Group Name of 2 Artists, Guitarists & Vocalists – Nainz Tupa'i & Viiz Tupa'i
  


• 
  Alex Aiono – singer/producer


• 
  KJ Apa – actor (of paternal Samoan descent)


• 
  Jackie Clarke – actress, comedian


• 
  Joseph Churchward – graphic designer


• 
  David Dallas – rapper (half Samoan)^{[citation needed]}


• 
  Iosefa Enari – opera singer


• 
  Eteuati Ete – comedian – Laughing Samoans
  


• 
  Tulele Faletolu – worship leader/singer


• 
  Tofiga Fepulea'i – comedian – Laughing Samoans
  


• 
  Fatu Feu'u – painter


• 
  Sia Figiel – novelist and poet


• 
  Mario Gaoa – actor, writer and director


• 
  Dei Hamo – rapper


• 
  Jamoa Jam – vocal quartet
  


• 
  Jay'ed – singer/songwriter


• 
  King Kapisi – hip hop artist


• 
  Freddie Keil – musician


• 
  Oscar Kightley – actor, writer and television presenter


• 
  John Kneubuhl – television writer


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  Ladi 6 – singer/MC


• 
  Jay Laga'aia – actor


• 
  Lily Laita – painter and ceramic sculptor


• 
  Jonathan Lemalu – Grammy winning opera singer


• 
  Nathaniel Lees – actor


• 
  Robbie Magasiva – actor


• 
  Rose Matafeo – comedian


• 
  Naked Samoans – comedy group


• 
  Rene Naufahu – actor, screen writer and director


• 
  Chong Nee – hip hop and R&B writer, producer and singer


• 
  Louis Sutherland – director, actor, two-time winner at Cannes Film Festival


• 
  Savage – rapper


• 
  Scribe – rapper


• 
  Tusi Tamasese – film director


• 
  Michel Tuffery – painter and sculptor


• 
  Lani Tupu – actor


• 
  Tha Feelstyle – hip hop artist, rapper


• 
  Rosita Vai – pop and R&B singer


• 
  the Yandall Sisters – singers


• 
  Albert Wendt – writer


• 
  Emily Williams – singer

Sports

• 
  Maselino Masoe – Boxer (middleweight, Former World Champion)


• 
  Joseph Parker – Boxer


• 
  David Tua – Boxer


• 
  Murphy Su'a – Cricketer, New Zealand


• 
  Ross Taylor – Cricketer, New Zealand (Captain)


• 
  Beatrice Faumuina – Discus thrower (Former World Champion)


• 
  Mark Hunt – Kickboxer in K-1 / mixed martial artist in Pride FC & UFC
  


• 
  Ray Sefo – Kickboxer in K-1


• 
  Robert Whittaker – mixed martial artist


• 
  Rita Fatialofa – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  Paula Griffin – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  April Ieremia – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


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  Cathrine Latu – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


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  Bernice Mene – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  Grace Rasmussen – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  Sheryl Scanlan nee Clarke – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  Frances Solia – Netball player


• 
  Lorna Suafoa – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  Maria Tutaia – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  Linda Vagana – Netball player (Silver Ferns)


• 
  Jack Afamasaga – Rugby League player


• 
  Fred Ah Kuoi – Rugby League player


• 
  Isaak Ah Mau – Rugby League player


• 
  Leeson Ah Mau – Rugby League player


• 
  Patrick Ah Van – Rugby League Player


• 
  Josh Aloiai - Rugby league player


• 
  Nelson Asofa-Solomona – Rugby League player


• 
  Roy Asotasi – Rugby League player


• 
  Monty Betham – former Rugby League player & Boxer


• 
  Fa'amanu Brown - Rugby League player


• 
  George Carmont – Rugby League player


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  Erin Clark – Rugby League player


• 
  Oscar Danielson – Rugby League player


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  Mark Elia – Rugby League player


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  Henry Fa'afili – former Rugby League player & Manu Samoa player


• 
  David Fa'alogo – Rugby League player


• 
  Maurie Fa'asavalu – Rugby League player & Manu Samoa player


• 
  Sonny Fai – Rugby League player


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  David Faiumu – Rugby League player


• 
  Sione Faumuina – Rugby League player


• 
  Olsen Filipaina – Rugby League player


• 
  Marvin Filipo – Rugby League player


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  Joe Galuvao – Rugby League player


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  James Gavet – Rugby League player


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  Pita Godinet – Rugby League player


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  Harrison Hansen – Rugby League player


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  Krisnan Inu – Rugby League player


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  Masada Iosefa – Rugby League player


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  Willie Isa – Rugby League player


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  Jamayne Isaako - Rugby League player


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  Sam Kasiano – Rugby league player


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  Tim Lafai – Rugby league player


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  Ali Lauitiiti – Rugby League player


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  Tasesa Lavea – Rugby League player & Manu Samoa Player


• 
  Joseph Leilua – Rugby League player


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  Moses Leota – Rugby League player


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  Kylie Leuluai – Rugby League player


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  Phillip Leuluai – Rugby League player


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  Thomas Leuluai – Rugby League player


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  Jeff Lima – Rugby League player


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  Mason Lino – Rugby League player


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  Jamahl Lolesi – Rugby League player


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  Jarome Luai - Rugby League player


• 
  Hutch Maiava – Rugby League player


• 
  Mose Masoe – Rugby League player


• 
  Willie Mason – Rugby League player


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  Suaia Matagi – Rugby League player


• 
  Steve Matai – Rugby League player


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  Ben Matulino – Rugby League player


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  Ken Maumalo – Rugby league player


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  Wayne McDade – Rugby League player


• 
  Francis Meli – Rugby League player


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  Constantine Mika – Rugby League player


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  Junior Moors – Rugby League player


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  Frank-Paul Nu'uausala – Rugby League player


• 
  Hitro Okesene – Rugby League player


• 
  Iafeta Paleaaesina – Rugby League player


• 
  Sam Panapa – Rugby League player


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  Josh Papalii – Rugby League player


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  Joseph Paulo – Rugby League player


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  Junior Paulo – Rugby League player


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  Eddy Pettybourne – Rugby League player


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  Apollo Perelini – Rormer Lugby league player & Manu Samoa player


• 
  Sam Perrett – Rugby League player


• 
  Dominique Peyroux – Rugby League player


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  Willie Poching – Rugby League player


• 
  Frank Pritchard – Rugby League player


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  Frank Puletua – Rugby League player


• 
  Tony Puletua – Rugby League player


• 
  Ben Roberts – Rugby League player


• 
  Iva Ropati – Rugby League player


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  Jerome Ropati – Rugby League player


• 
  Tea Ropati – Rugby League player


• 
  Setaimata Sa – Rugby League player


• 
  Smith Samau – Rugby League player


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  Junior Sau – Rugby League player


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  Andre Savelio - Rugby League player


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  Lagi Setu – Rugby League player


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  Ava Seumanufagai – Rugby league player


• 
  Jerry Seuseu – Rugby League player


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  Tim Simona – Rugby League player


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  Jeremy Smith – Rugby League player


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  Iosia Soliola – Rugby League player


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  David Solomona – Rugby League player


• 
  Malo Solomona – Rugby League player


• 
  Tupou Sopoaga – Rugby League player


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  Chase Stanley – Rugby League player


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  Kyle Stanley – Rugby League player


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  Anthony Swann – Rugby League player


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  Logan Swann – Rugby League player


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  Sam Tagataese – Rugby League player


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  Willie Talau – Rugby League player


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  Tony Tatupu – Rugby League player


• 
  Mark Taufua – Rugby League player


• 
  Misi Taulapapa – Rugby League player


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  Ben Te'o – Rugby League player


• 
  Jazz Tevaga – Rugby League player


• 
  Junior Tia-Kilifi – Rugby League player


• 
  Motu Tony – Rugby League player


• 
  Tony Tuimavave – Rugby League player


• 
  Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – Rugby League player


• 
  Braden Uele – Rugby league player


• 
  Wayne Ulugia – Rugby League player


• 
  Matt Utai – Rugby League player


• 
  Joe Vagana – Rugby League player


• 
  Nigel Vagana – Rugby League player


• 
  Daniel Vidot – Rugby League player


• 
  Ruben Wiki – Rugby League player


• 
  Darrell Williams – Rugby League player


• 
  Antonio Winterstein – Rugby League player


• 
  Frank Winterstein – Rugby League player


• 
  Matthew Wright – Rugby League player


• 
  Cameron Howieson – Soccer player New Zealand Men's


• 
  Dane Ingham – Soccer player New Zealand Men's


• 
  Jai Ingham – Soccer player New Zealand Men's


• 
  Renee Leota – Soccer player New Zealand Women's


• 
  Emma Hunter – Swimmer (Olympics)

All Blacks (past & present)

• 
  Asafo Aumua – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1163)


• 
  John Afoa – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1062)


• 
  Sosene Anesi – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1054)


• 
  Ben Atiga – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1037)


• 
  Graeme Bachop – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 885)


• 
  Stephen Bachop former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 925)


• 
  Andrew Blowers – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 956)


• 
  Olo Brown – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 910)


• 
  Frank Bunce – former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 915)


• 
  Eroni Clarke – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 919)


• 
  Jerry Collins – rugby player & Captained the All Blacks (All Black number 1002)


• 
  Christian Cullen – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 952)


• 
  Matt Duffie – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1164)


• 
  Charlie Faumuina – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1116)


• 
  Ross Filipo – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1070)


• 
  Carl Hoeft – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 971)


• 
  Alama Ieremia – former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 942)


• 
  Akira Ioane – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1166)


• 
  Rieko Ioane – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1156)


• 
  Michael Jones – former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 882)


• 
  Jerome Kaino – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1050)


• 
  Josh Kronfeld – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 943)


• 
  Pat Lam – former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 928)


• 
  Casey Laulala – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1048)


• 
  Nepo Laulala – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1139)


• 
  Anton Lienert-Brown – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1153)


• 
  Keith Lowen – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1020)


• 
  Steven Luatua – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1121)


• 
  Lelia Masaga – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1092)


• 
  Chris Masoe – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1059)


• 
  Aaron Mauger – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1013)


• 
  Nathan Mauger – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1008)


• 
  Keven Mealamu – rugby player & Captained the All Blacks (All Black number 1026)


• 
  Brad Mika – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1024)


• 
  Dylan Mika – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 982)


• 
  Richard Mo'unga – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1167)


• 
  Mils Muliaina – rugby player & Captained the All Blacks (All Black number 1033)


• 
  Ma'a Nonu – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1031)


• 
  Dalton Papali'i – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1176)


• 
  Augustine Pulu – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1136)


• 
  Francis Saili – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1126)


• 
  Ardie Savea – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1147)


• 
  Julian Savea – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1111)


• 
  John Schuster – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 889)


• 
  John Schwalger – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1071)


• 
  Kevin Senio – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1058)


• 
  Dave Solomon – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 415)


• 
  Frank Solomon – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 387)


• 
  Rodney So'oialo – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1028)


• 
  Lima Sopoaga – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1145)


• 
  Benson Stanley – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1102)


• 
  Jeremy Stanley – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 963)


• 
  Joe Stanley – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 874)


• 
  Angus Ta'avao – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1175)


• 
  Neemia Tialata – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1060)


• 
  Filo Tiatia – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 993)


• 
  Isaia Toeava – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1064)


• 
  Ofisa Tonu'u – former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 957)


• 
  Jeffery Toomaga-Allen – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1130)


• 
  Mose Tuiali'i – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1042)


• 
  Va'aiga Tuigamala – former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 900)


• 
  Patrick Tuipulotu – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1133)


• 
  Richard Turner – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 917)


• 
  Tana Umaga – rugby player & Captained the All Blacks (All Black number 961)


• 
  Victor Vito – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1103)


• 
  Bryan Williams – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 689)


• 
  Sonny Bill Williams – rugby player for the All Blacks & former Kiwis rugby league player, boxer (All Black number 1108)


• 
  Rudi Wulf – rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1077)

General

• 
  Tulele Faletolu – worship leader/singer – Hillsong Church
  


• 
  Samani Pulepule – Preacher – Evangelist
  

Politics

• 
  Mark Gosche – politician


• 
  Arthur Anae – politician


• 
  Taito Phillip Field – politician


• Luamanuvao Winnie Laban – politician


• 
  William Sio – politician


• 
  Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga – politician

See also

• New Zealand–Samoa relations


• Samoan Australians

References