Record numbers of Samoans apply for NZ quota

More than 15,000 Samoans registered for New Zealand's annual immigration quota this year, a record number.

Under the system 1100 places are offered to Samoans to migrate to New Zealand annually with the successful applicants drawn by ballot.

Immigration New Zealand assistant general manager, Geoff Scott says 15,263 applications were received.

Last year just over 10,000 were received, around 9,000 the previous year while numbers didn't reach 8,000 before then.

The ballot was drawn last week with Immigration New Zealand to notify successful applicants.