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Samoans were not consulted when Britain, Germany and the United States agreed to partition their islands in December 1899.

When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, Britain asked New Zealand to seize German Samoa as a 'great and urgent Imperial service'. Although the tiny German garrison offered no opposition, at the time it was regarded as a potentially risky action.

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Text in German. Numbered paragraphs. A proclamation announcing the occupation of German Samoa by the New Zealand government. The rules of the occupation follow. This is a copy of the Proclamation of Occupatio...

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Text is in English. Numbered paragraphs. A proclamation announcing the occupation of German Samoa by the New Zealand government. The rules of the occupation follow. This is a copy of the Proclamation of Occup...

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Text is in English. Numbered paragraphs. A proclamation announcing the occupation of German Samoa by the New Zealand government. The rules of the occupation follow. This is a copy of the Proclamation of Occup...

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.

Colonel Robert Logan led a 1400-strong expeditionary force to capture German Samoa in New Zealand’s first action of the First World War. This was the second German territory, after Togoland in East Africa, to fall to the Allies in the war.

Colonel Robert Logan led a 1400-strong expeditionary force to capture German Samoa (later renamed Western Samoa). The Germans stationed there were in no position to resist.

Find out more about the capture of German Samoa in the First World War.

German officials were replaced by New Zealand military officers, civilians, or British residents. These often lacked the experience or qualifications to do the job.

Royal Navy officers arrive at Apia, Samoa, 29 August 1914, with the demand for German surrender.

This map of Samoa and surrounds contains information in relation to the urban and rural geography of Samoa during the late period of German Administration. The physical map itself broken into many pieces and has been stitched together digitally. The...

A total of 141 New Zealand horses were transported to Samoa during the First World War. Of these, 25 were despatched with the Samoa Advance Party of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in August 1914.

A 1374-strong 'Advance Party NZEF' captures German Samoa, the second German territory, after Togoland in Africa, to fall to Allied forces during the war. Read more

View of soldiers of the 2nd Contingent, Auckland Territorials entering Queen Street Railway Station on their departure for the German Samoa.

A Northern Marianas historian is compiling a complete history of a group of Samoan chiefs who formed a community on Saipan 100 years ago.

Showing fishing in the harbour at Apia, capital of Samoa Samoa

A new book containing rare photos from private albums dating back to when many Germans resided in Samoa has been released in Apia.

A new book containing rare photos from private albums dating back to when many Germans resided in Samoa has been released in Apia.