The Norfolk Island People

Our world is home to the welcoming Norfolk Island people.

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Over 20 nationalities live here, but most notably it is home to the Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Mutiny on the Bounty, who arrived here on June 8, 1856.  They celebrate this arrival each year on Bounty Day with a gathering at Kingston Pier, a re-enactment of the landing, a march and tea at Government House, and a feast of traditional foods, all in traditional clothing and hats. 

The descendants comprise about 30% of the island’s permanent population.

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The Pitcairners brought with them cooking, music, and weaving/ plaiting (of items like the hats above) that are still practiced today, and a language that is still spoken.  The Norf’k language (Norfolk language) is a wonderful mix of Tahitian and old English, and it is taught in our school.

The island’s phone book is thought to be unique in the world because it allows you to ‘fast find a person by their nickname’, or in the Norf’k language, ‘faasfain salan bai dems nikniem’.  And this is because some of our ‘salan’ (people) are not known by any other name!

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For example, you can find the phone number for Beef, Crowbar, Doodus, Feathers, Golla, Hose, Lettuce, Moochie, Possum, Snapper, Tardy, Spider and Wolf.

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The 2016 census advised that in Norfolk Island, 39.7% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were Norfolk Island 22.1%, New Zealand 17.6%, Fiji 2.7%, England 2.6% and Philippines 2.3%.

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The majority on the island are Australians, or those who have have lived on the island for quite some time who became Australian citizens.  The remainder are a mix of the above nationalities and others. 

No matter what their origins, all who live on Norfolk Island love the lifestyle, fresh air, clean living and would have difficulty finding anywhere else in the world where life is that simple.

advocacy and outreach activities, our team works tirelessly each day to contribute their part to the greater good.