New Zealand National Film Unit presents Pictorial Parade No. 122 (1962)
On 1 June, Samoa's Independence Day is celebrated. Samoa became independent from New Zealand on 1 January 1962, after more than a century of administration by foreign powers. European contact with Samoa began in the 18th century with the arrival of Dutch and French voyagers. Missionaries and traders arrived in the 1830s. In the latter part of 19th century, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States all claimed parts of the kingdom of Samoa, and established trade posts. German influence in Samoa had expanded with large scale plantation operations being introduced for coconut, cacao and hevea rubber cultivation. British business enterprises, harbour rights, and consulate office were the basis on which the United Kingdom had cause to intervene in Samoa. The United States began operations at Pago Pago on Tutuila in 1877 and formed alliances with local native chieftains.
From 1908, with the establishment of the Mau movement ("opinion movement"), Western Samoans began to assert their claim to independence. Shortly after the outbreak of World War I, New Zealand sent an expeditionary force to seize and occupy German Samoa. Although Germany refused to officially surrender the islands, no resistance was offered and the occupation took place without any fighting. New Zealand continued the occupation of Western Samoa throughout World War I. In 1919, under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany relinquished its claims to the islands. New Zealand administered Western Samoa first as a League of Nations Mandate and then as a United Nations trusteeship until the country received its independence on 1 January 1962 as Western Samoa. Samoa's first prime minister following independence was paramount chief Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II. Samoa was the first Polynesian people to be recognized as a sovereign nation in the 20th century.
This film of the 1962 Independence Day celebrations comes from the Pictorial Parade newsreel series of films which ran from 1952 - 1971. This series was produced by the National Film Unit (NFU), which was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the war. After WW2 the NFU expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the NFU produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. The private film industry in New Zealand relied heavily on the NFU's extensive film processing facilities
Archives reference: AAPG W3471 650/1142
OUR BIGGEST LAUNCHING 207 ft Launched in Auckland is the biggest ship yet built in New Zealand, the 'Wairua', for the Bluff-Stewart Island service.
HIGH SCHOOL SHEARING Napier Boys' High School has an unusual classroom - a specially designed sheep-shearing shed for instructional use.
INDEPENDENCE DAY 675 ft Western Samoa becomes the twentieth century's first fully independent Polynesian State. B&W, 12.5 minutes, 35mm, 1,131 ft. 16mm, 450 ft DV file of Beta SP telecini of 35mm film.