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Story: Development assistance and humanitarian aid

Medical services in Samoa

Video file

In 1949 the New Zealand National Film Unit went to Western Samoa and made a short film for New Zealand viewers. Outlining the range of so-called 'European services' being introduced, the film included the section on nursing training shown here. The portrayal of New Zealand's administration was idealised: Samoa was the 'lotus land of the Pacific', with a mix of access to modern services and support for local traditions.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Samoa. National Film Unit, 1949

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

John Overton, Development assistance and humanitarian aid – Increasing aid, 19th century to 1970s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/32832/medical-services-in-samoa (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Overton, published 21 March 2012.