Norfolk Islanders are a distinct people primarily of Pitcairn descent, tracing their ancestry to the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions, mixed with significant English, Scottish, and Irish heritage, forming a unique Anglo-Polynesian culture and their own language, Norf'k, alongside English. While many also identify with Australian ancestry, their core identity stems from this shared history on Pitcairn and later Norfolk Island, creating a unique cultural and genetic group.
Norfolk Island ancestry
Pitcairn Islanders are of British and Tahitian descent, as the island was settled in 1790 by British mutineers from the ship HMS Bounty and their Tahitian companions[2]. In 2021, 550 people on Norfolk Island identified Pitcairn ancestry, representing one-quarter (25.1%) of the population.
The Islanders have their own unique identity and are predominantly people of Pitcairn and English descent and to a lesser extent of Scottish and Irish. The culture held in common by most native-born Norfolk Islanders is mainstream Norfolk culture, traditions primarily inherited from the 194 Pitcairn settlers in 1856.
Evidence suggests that Polynesian seafarers settled on Norfolk Island sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries A.D. These settlers were highly skilled navigators, likely arriving from East Polynesia by way of the Kermadec Islands or the North Island of New Zealand.
Today, the population of Norfolk Island is around 1,800, and the most common surname in the Norfolk Island phonebook is Christian!
Controversy exists as to the exact status of Norfolk Island. Despite the island's status as a self-governing territory of Australia, some Islanders claim that it was actually granted independence at the time Queen Victoria granted permission to Pitcairn Islanders to re-settle on the island.
Any Australian Can Live On Norfolk Island. Previously there were definite barriers for Australians and New Zealanders to come and live. A complicated permit system made it difficult for individuals to migrate to the island and discouraged investment. This is no longer the case!
Descendants of the Bounty Mutineers
Norfolk is home to the famed descendants of the Polynesian women and Bounty Mutineers who originally settled on Pitcairn Island. After outgrowing Pitcairn, the community made up of 8 family groupings relocated to Norfolk in 1856.
Polynesians are known to have occupied Norfolk Island, with archaeological remains suggesting a single phase of occupation from around 1150 to around 1450. The Island was located by Europeans in 1774 and named for the Duchess of Norfolk by Captain James Cook.
Medical treatment on Norfolk Island is covered by Australian Medicare, emergency medical treatment will be covered by Medicare. Please bring your Medicare, Pensioner, and/or Healthcare cards with you to the island.
Normal Australian Customs and Immigration procedures will apply when entry is made from outside Australia (including New Zealand). A passport (valid on entry and departure) is necessary and a visa may be required for some foreign passports.
94.7% people are white, 2.1% people are asian, 1.6% people are mixed. 47.0% are Christian, 44.2% have no religion, 6.4% provided no answer.
Convicts and free settlers made Norfolk their home until 1814, when the island was abandoned due to its perilous landing sites, isolation, and the fact that the main settlement in Australia was now well established.
Norfolk Island (/ˈnɔːrfək/ NOR-fək, locally /ˈnɔːrfoʊk/ NOR-fohk; Norf'k Ailen) is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia, 1,412 kilometres (877 mi) directly east of Australia's Evans Head and about 900 kilometres (560 mi) from Lord Howe Island.
They are native Polynesian, British, emigrants that left Pitcairn's island that formed an indigenous Distinct and Separate settlement on their homeland of Norfolk Island. They are Norfolk Islanders. They are not, never were, and never will be “Immigrants of Australia.”
Despite its island paradise reputation, doing Norfolk Island on a budget is actually a walk in the park. With affordable options for accommodation and dining as well as plenty of natural wonders to keep you occupied, Norfolk is both accessible and affordable.
Watawieh (hello) Wats yus niem (What is your name) Haew sam yu wetls (Have something to eat) Thaenks f aklan (Thanks for us) These are some examples of our unique local Norfolk Island language.
In 2021, the median age of people living in Norfolk Island SA2 was 50 years. Of the 2,188 residents in Norfolk Island SA2 in 2021: 9.6% were aged 60-64 years. 9.2% were aged 55-59 years.
"The oldest surname in the world is KATZ (the initials of the two words - Kohen Tsedek). Every Katz is a priest, descending in an unbroken line from Aaron the brother of Moses, 1300 B.C."