NZ immigration

The ballot is open to Samoan nationals aged between 18 and 45. 1100 names of people are drawn annually who can then apply for residency.

In 2012, applications for the Samoan quota were just over 7000 but in the last round a record 16,500 applied.

Massey University's Paul Spoonley said a review was needed given Samoa's fast growing population and New Zealand's unique relationship with the country under the Treaty of Friendship.

Joeli Taliai, a skilled worker whose work visa expires in July, applied for residence two days before his 56th birthday, the cutoff age.

However, his documents were returned because they were incomplete - and now he has been told the application was made too late.