Other Pacific – Pacific Web

Tonga

Polynesia

In Polynesia, independent nations emerged primarily from British and New Zealand colonial rule. Samoa became independent from New Zealand in 1962, making it the first modern Polynesian nation to regain sovereignty. Tonga remained a sovereign kingdom throughout the colonial era and ended its status as a British protected state in 1970, retaining full independence. Tuvalu became independent from the United Kingdom in 1978, following separation from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony.

Melanesia

In Melanesia, independence largely followed British, Australian, and French withdrawal in the late twentieth century. Fiji became independent from the United Kingdom in 1970. Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia in 1975, while the Solomon Islands became independent from the United Kingdom in 1978. Vanuatu became independent in 1980 from an unusual joint British–French administration known as the New Hebrides Condominium.

Micronesia

In Micronesia, the fully independent states outside U.S. affiliation include Kiribati and Nauru. Kiribati became independent from the United Kingdom in 1979, after decades of British administration as the Gilbert Islands. Nauru became independent in 1968 from a United Nations trusteeship jointly administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, following extensive phosphate exploitation during the colonial period.