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Year of independence: 1907 (dominion status), fully independent in 1947 with the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act; historical context: New Zealand gradually attained full sovereignty after being a British colony, with significant steps including the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and gaining dominion status in 1907.

Year of independence: 1980; historical context: Vanuatu, formerly known as the New Hebrides, was a unique condominium colony jointly governed by the United Kingdom and France before gaining independence.

Year of independence: 1975; historical context: Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia, which had been administering the territory since World War I on behalf of the League of Nations.

Year of independence: 1962; historical context: Samoa was the first country in the Pacific to gain independence, which came after being a New Zealand territory that was formerly under German control.

Year of independence: 1968; historical context: After being a German colony, and later administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the UK through a League of Nations mandate and then a UN trusteeship, Nauru achieved independence.

Year of independence: 1986; historical context: The Marshall Islands, also part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the United States, achieved independence through a Compact of Free Association with the U.S.

Year of independence: 1970; historical context: Fiji became independent after nearly a century as a British crown colony, with ethnic considerations playing a role in the transition to independence.

Year of independence: 1978; historical context: The Solomon Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom after being part of the British protectorate that formed in the late 19th century.

Year of independence: 1978; historical context: Formerly part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Tuvalu separated and later became fully independent as part of a gradual decolonization process.

Year of independence: 1994; historical context: Palau was part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the United States and voted for free association in 1986, which culminated in full sovereignty in 1994.

Year of independence: 1901 (Federation of Australia); historical context: Australia became a federated nation after six British self-governing colonies agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia.