Black Saturday & the Mau movement

On 28 December 1929, at least 8 Samoans and one police officer were killed during what has become known as ¨Black Saturday¨. The exact details of the clash between New Zealand administration in Samoa and the mau movement a pacifist resistance movement advocating independence from New Zealand are contested. 

What happened on Black Saturday?:

The worst incident in New Zealand's relationship with Samoa occurred on Saturday 28 December 1929. It was triggered by a fracas that erupted during a Mau parade along Apia's waterfront to welcome home two members who had been exiled in New Zealand. 

The Mau Movement:

The mau movement culminated on 28 December 1929 in the street of the capital of Apia, when the New Zealand police fired on a procession who were attempting to prevent the arrest of one of their members. The day became known as ¨Black Saturday¨. One New Zealand constable was clubbed to death by protesters.

Began in 191908 with the Mau a pele, a movement led by the orator chief  Lauaki Namulau´ulu. The matai were dissatisfied with the German governor´s attempts to change the fa´a Samoa and centralise all authority in his hands.