A New Era? (1923–1925)

General George Spafford Richardson, one of New Zealand’s highest ranking World War One generals, replaced Colonel Tate as Sāmoa’s administrator in 1923. This move was intended to diffuse the Mau and reset relations on a better course. Richardson’s stature as a war hero, it was hoped, would aid this objective. This chapter examines developments in Richardson’s first term as administrator when he adopted a conciliatory posture and enjoyed a productive working relationship, indeed friendship, with Ta’isi. Richardson oversaw the creation of three elected positions to the Legislative Council, answering Ta’isi’s call for democratic processes to be implemented. As Ta’isi was one of these three elected members, his relationship with Richardson evolved in new ways. Though Richardson had a very jaundiced view of this new governing instrument he was still adamant that Sāmoans would “love” empire and that his part of British Empire would become a showcase across the world. On a personal level, this chapter discusses the breakdown of Ta’isi’s marriage to Rosabel and how his private world would be reshaped by this event.