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A development policy thinktank has called on Australia to improve direct migration routes with its Pacific neighbours, saying the country has outsourced its Pacific migration policy to New Zealand.
New research found despite a rapid growth in the number of Samoans living in Australia, only four per cent migrate directly.
The Australian National University s Development Policy Centre found the overwhelming majority move to Australia via New Zealand.
Report co-author and centre director, Dr Stephen Howes, said the migration route had become a well-worn path.
A special visa agreement between the two countries allows 1,000 Samoans to move to New Zealand each year.