Pacific Islanders in the United Kingdom

Infobox Ethnic group
group = Pacific Islander Britons


Maurie Fa'asavalu
poptime =

Pacific Islanders in 2001
* Pacific born 5,571 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/countries/html/other_oceania.stm BBC Born Abroad Other Oceania] ]
* British born ~ 5,000 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/countries/html/other_oceania.stm BBC Born Abroad Other Oceania] ]
* American born ~ 500 [ [http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/americans_living_abroad/ Pacific Islander Americans in the UK] ]

Other Oceanic in 2001
* Australian Aboriginals 9,300 [ [http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/05-10/australians-a-plenty-in-britain-london-england-united-kingdom.html Australian people in the UK] ]
* Maoris 8,000 [ [http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/MaoriOverseas/5/en Maoris in England] ]
* Pacific Islander New Zealanders 4,000 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/countries/html/new_zealand.stm BBC Born Abroad New Zealand] ]
* Torres Strait Islanders 1,000 [ [http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/05-10/australians-a-plenty-in-britain-london-england-united-kingdom.html Australian people in the UK] ]

Total in 2001
Estimated at 33,000
0.06% of the UK's population
popplace = Regions: Greater London, South East England, East Midlands, East of England
Cities: London, Leicester, Southampton, Salisbury, Catterick
Districts: Belgrave, Portswood, Cricklewood, Heston, Greenhill
languages = British English, Pacific English, Carolinian, Chamorro, Fijian, Hawaiian, Marshallese, Samoan, Polynesian languages, others
religions = Christianity, others
related = Pacific Islanders

Pacific Islanders in the United Kingdom normally refers to indigenous people from Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia and Australasia. People with Pacific Islander ancestry constitute one of the UK's smallest ethnic groups.

Background

Many of the Pacific islands are former British Colonies (and the Pitcairn Islands remain a British overseas territory) and have English as an official language, hence the UK is a popular destination for Pacific Islander migrants. Outside of the large cities, the Pacific Islander communities are largely situated around British Army Infantry bases, where they have been recruited to work for the country for many years (Catterick and Salisbury being the best examples).

Demographics

Population

As of the 2001 UK Census 0.01% of the British population was born on a Pacific Island (roughly 6,000 people). A slightly larger amount are of Oceanic origin, and the Pacific Islander community is surprisingly widespread. The British Pacific Islander ethnic group is a fastly growing group, as in 1991, there were no records of Pacific Islanders residing in the UK, even thought there was likely to be a small community (probarbly in London and the Army bases). According to the 2001 Census, and estimates from other sources, over 30,000 People of Oceanic and in general Pacific Islander origins live in the UK. However in 2008, due to increasing immigration, and the fact that non indigenous ethnic groups tend to have a younger average age than White British people, the actual numbers could be higher.

Although the number of Pacific Islanders in the United Kingdom is small, it is significant in relation to the population of the Pacific Islands. The UK has one of the world's largest Pacific Islander communities along with Oceania itself and the United States.

Distribution

As of 2001, most popular regions for Pacific Islanders were:
* London - 1,662 (Cricklewood - 56, Heston - 52, Greenhill - 52)
* South East England - 1,054 (Portswood - 56)
* East Midlands - 493 (Belgrave - 104)
* East of England - 448
* South West England - 440
* West Midlands - 411
* North West England - 298
* Scotland - 295
* Yorkshire and the Humber - 253

Place of birth

Notables

This is a list of notable British citizens or UK residents of Pacific Islander descent.

* Nifa and Nishan Hindes, Twin models (Fijian)
* Tanita Tikaram, Singer (Fijian)

Pacific Islanders in rugby

Pacific Islanders are extremelly successful in British Rugby Union and League sides, with some Pacific Islander Rugby players becoming British citizens.

* Tabua Cakacaka, Rugby League (Fijian)
* Loki Crichton, Rugby Union (Samoan)
* Maurie Fa'asavalu, Rugby Union (Samoan)
* Aisea Havili, Rugby Union (Tongan)
* Brian Lima, Rugby Union (Samoan)
* Aleki Lutui, Rugby Union (Tongan)
* Deacon Manu, Rugby Union (Fijian)
* Iafeta Paleaaesina, Rugby Union (Samoan)
* Dale Rasmussen, Rugby Union (Samoan)
* Waisale Sovatabua, Rugby League (Fijian)
* Epi Taione, Rugby Union (Tongan)
* Netani Talei, Rugby Union (Fijian)
* Josh Taumalolo, Rugby Union (Tongan)
* Tevita Taumoepeau, Rugby Union (Tongan)
* Alesana Tuilagi, Rugby Union (Samoan)
* Mike Umaga, Rugby Union (Samoan)
* Lesley Vainikolo, Rugby Union (Tongan)
* Gray Viane, Rugby League (Samoan)

See also

* Ethnic groups of the United Kingdom
* Pacific Islanders
* Pacific Islander American
* Australians in the United Kingdom
* New Zealanders in the United Kingdom

References

External links

* [http://www.kionasinauk.com Kiona Sina, a London-based group showcasing Polynesian dances and songs unique to the Pacific Islands including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/countries/html/other_oceania.stm BBC Born Abroad, Other Oceania]