Samoa: the NZ landing, 1914

A DigitalNZ Story by Rob Finlay

Germany occupied Western Samoa in 1900, to the annoyance of "King Dick" Seddon, and without reference to the wishes of the Samoan people. Fourteen years later, Samoa was the first German colonial territory to be lost when NZ troops landed unopposed, beginning a close but not always amicable relationship.

Samoa, World War 1, New Zealand, landing, 1914

Image: Samoa. View of Apia and Apia Harbour

Samoa. View of Apia and Apia Harbour

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Apia waterfront, Samoa

Apia waterfront, Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Apia, Samoa

Apia, Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Central Hotel, Apia, Samoa

Central Hotel, Apia, Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Custom House, Apia, Samoa

Custom House, Apia, Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Solomon Islanders in Samoa

Solomon Islanders in Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Copra dryer, Samoa

Copra dryer, Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Raising the German flag, Samoa

Raising the German flag, Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Raising the German flag, Samoa

Raising the German flag, Samoa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mataafa taking the Oath of Allegiance, Mulin'u 14.8.1900

Mataafa taking the Oath of Allegiance, Mulin'u 14.8.1900

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira