Capture of German Samoa
New Zealand in Samoa
New Zealand's administration of Samoa, 1920-35
New Zealand was ill-equipped to cope with the Western Samoa mandate allocated by the League of Nations in 1920. After occupying German Samoa at the outbreak of the First World War, the New Zealand administration was blamed for mishandling the 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed a fifth of the local population.
The 1918 flu pandemic
New Zealand in the Pacific - capture of Samoa
Early New Zealand aspirations in the Pacific
Even as a fledgling British colony, New Zealand turned its gaze towards the Pacific. From the 1840s, early New Zealand politicians such as Sir George Grey (1812–98), Sir Robert Stout (1844–1930) and Sir Julius Vogel (1835–99) actively promoted a vision of New Zealand as the centre of a great South Pacific empire.
Background - NZ in Samoa
The Samoan archipelago, located in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean, comprises six main islands, two atolls, and numerous smaller islets. Its closest neighbours, the northern islands of the Tonga group, are 210 kms to the southwest.
In the late 19th century the Samoan islands became highly desirable to Britain, Germany and the United States as a refuelling stop for coal-fired shipping. A 'civil war' broke out between factions backed by each of these powers.
Seizing German Samoa
With hindsight, New Zealand’s capture of German Samoa on 29 August 1914 was an easy affair. But at the time it was regarded as a potentially risky action with uncertain outcomes. As it happened, New Zealand had a great deal of luck on its side.
Colonial administration - NZ in Samoa
The League of Nations formally allocated New Zealand the Class C mandate of Western Samoa in December 1920. Samoan leaders were not consulted as other nations decided the islands' future.
Sowing seeds of discontent - NZ in Samoa
Like most colonial powers, New Zealand developed paternalistic policies towards Samoans. In the words of one Administrator, they were ‘a splendid but backward Native race', with ‘no thought for to-morrow, and no vision as to the future of these islands’. It was an attitude deeply resented by Samoans.
Wartime administration - capture of German Samoa
Historian J.W. Davidson described New Zealand rule over Samoa as a ‘ramshackle administration’. German officials were replaced by New Zealand military officers, civilians, or British residents. These often lacked the experience or qualifications to do the job.
The rise of the Mau movement - NZ in Samoa
'Samoa mo Samoa'
Samoa has a history of opposition to European rule. Formal resistance had occurred on two occasions during the German colonial era, and several petitions had already challenged New Zealand's administration. But the opposition that emerged in the late 1920s was organised and widespread.
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