A Norfolk Island political group has started a crowdfunding campaign to help restore self-government, which they say was taken in "a hostile and illegal takeover".

Norfolk Island People for Democracy (NIPD) have set up a campaign to raise $275,000 to fund a petition to the United Nations (UN).

The money would then be used to seek professional and academic advice to help with the submission to the UN.

The NIPD want the UN to grant them protective rights that would give them autonomy over their political and economic development.

Andre Nobbs from the NIPD said he hoped the campaign would raise awareness about the behaviour of the Australian Government towards the island.

"[The] colonialist activity continues whereby the Australian Government collapsed our parliament against the wishes of the Norfolk Island people, removed our democratic processes and has left us with an overarching, unaccountable process," he said.

"The crowdfunding campaign gives us an opportunity to set the record straight and inform the Australian people that there are better ways for Australia and Norfolk Island to collaborate that will not be as difficult to the Australian tax payer."

The campaign comes after the Australian Government took control of the territory last year in a bid to help with its financial difficulties.

But the move was not welcomed by the people of Norfolk, who accused the Australian Government of being "undemocratic".

Mr Nobbs said the islanders had been backed into a corner.

"We're sorry we've had to ask the world for a hand, but the Australian Government won't engage with us, so we have been left with very few options," he said.

"The exploitation has to stop."

Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher has been contacted for comment.