Who are the people of Norfolk Island?

Are they the Indigenous people of Norfolk Island?

Are they Polynesian Natives from Pitcairn’s Island?

Emigrants upon leaving Pitcairn’s Island?

A British Distinct and Separate settlement?

Or are they a combination of them all?

It is no secret that an Order-in-Council was made on 24 June 1856 when Queen Victoria ordered that Norfolk Island was to be “a distinct and separate settlement.....and that in 1857 the UK Parliament recalled.. (Hansard, 5 February 1857)

“That the destination of Norfolk Island was changed, and, instead of being associated with the worst of our criminals, would, in future, be inhabited by the natives of Pitcairn's Island.”

Around that time, Sir William Denison (Governor of NSW 1855 to 1861) also noted that the islanders:

“are chiefly emigrants from Pitcairn’s Island in the Pacific Ocean, who have been established in Norfolk Island..."

In 1913 , the records of debate by the Australian parliament in acceptance of Norfolk Island also recognised the inhabitants of Norfolk Island.

"In Norfolk Island, there is already in existence a body through which the settlers can make themselves heard.– There is a distinct people in Norfolk Island."

In more recent times the High Court itself has recognised the status of Norfolk Island and its people..and in 2021 the final report of Carolyn McNally’s public inquiry included Norfolk Islanders.

“From July 2015 to June 2016, in the lead up to the establishment of the NIRC, an Advisory Council, comprised of five Norfolk Islanders. “

In 2022, (with the transition of education services to the Australian state of QLD)...the Norfolk Island school enrolment form..even asks the question....”Is the prospective student of Pitcairn descent?”

The United Nations states clearly that Indigenous peoples and land are those of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.

“States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the indigenous peoples concerned.”

So this all confirms there is a definite unique “identity” of the people of Norfolk Island....

Yet in 1999 the “Australian Human Rights Commission” concluded..

"That a separate immigration regime (to Australia) is neither necessary nor proportionate...and that Australia as a whole may violate ICCPR article 12 because it is not necessary to protect the Islands environment or the culture of the Pitcairn descendants."

On 17 June 2015, the Australian government abolished the Norfolk Legislative Assembly ending self-government on the island. Along with this action, they also abolished the protection of the people, their identity, culture, and democracy… claiming Norfolk Island as their own!

I’m sure we can all agree that there are questions that need answering…

How did the Australian Government abolish the people of Norfolk Islands government, history, ancestry and culture?

When was Norfolk Island annexed to NSW or the Commonwealth of Australia?

Why is it now not necessary to protect the Islands environment or the culture of the Pitcairn descendants?

And when did Australia become the ultimate power, authority and/or jurisdiction over the people and territory of Norfolk Island?

So who are the “people of Norfolk 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.”