Pictorial Parade No. 120 - Samoan Family

This 1961 Pictorial Parade visits Western Samoa shortly before it gains independence from Aotearoa. Locals are seen voting in the May referendum, where a huge majority voted for self-rule. Surgeon Ioane Okesene and his large family feature in this newsreel; daughter Karaponi is seen marrying her Kiwi partner Bill McGrath in Apia. (Trivia fact: Rugby legend Michael Jones' mother, Maina Jones, is among the wedding guests.) Western Samoa's close ties to Aotearoa are highlighted, with stories of Samoans moving downunder to study, such as home science student Margaret Stehlin. 

On May 9th 1961, the Samoan and New Zealand governments arranged a plebiscite at the request of the United Nations, to decide whether our country would become independent in January 1962, or remain a United Nations Trust territory ... by a 6 to 1 majority we declared for the independence of Western Samoa.

– Narrator

Key Cast & Crew

Frank Chilton

Director, Writer, Editor