Please read the following before completing the Ancestry section of the Application Form:
Ethnicity and Ancestry
Ethnicity is the ethnic group(s) that people identify with or feel they belong to, and is a measure of cultural affiliation, as opposed to race, ancestry, nationality, or citizenship. Ethnicity is self-perceived, and people can belong to more than one ethnic group. A person’s ethnicity may not necessarily match their ancestry.
Ancestry is a biological and historical concept and refers to a person's blood descent. You are eligible for consideration under the Moana Oceania/Pacific TAS if you are of indigenous Moana Oceania/Pacific Island ancestry and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand.
Moana Oceania/Pacific regions
For the purposes of the Moana Oceania TAS, the Moana Oceania regions category includes Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Fiji, Rotuma, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Wallis and Futuna, Hawai’i, French Polynesia, Rapanui (Easter Island).
Indigeneity
Indigenous Moana Oceania Islanders are the native, original inhabitants of these islands/regions.
Certification of Ancestry
The certification of your indigenous Moana Oceania/Pacific Island ancestry must be completed by a Church Elder or Community Leader who knows your family, or solicitor.
The Certifier must be of Moana Oceania/Pacific Island descent (excluding the Solicitor) and cannot be your sibling, spouse, parent, or grandparent. Your UTAS Moana Oceania/Pacific application will not be considered until your Certification of Ancestry form has been completed (and any verification concerns have been addressed).
Please note:
We will contact your Certifier if we require further information with regard to your ancestry. If we cannot reach your Certifier on the details provided, your application will not be accepted. Please ensure that you provide the correct contact details for your Certifier.