Important Samoan dates in history (and why we include them in our planners)
When we began designing the Samoan daily planners, we asked the same question as we did with our Māori products: “Where is our own history?”
In most planners available on the market, you’ll find public holidays and the occasional global event. What you won’t find are the moments that shaped Samoa and Samoan people. For us, that absence wasn’t good enough. Just as reclaiming language is vital, so is reclaiming history — especially the events that impacted our families, communities, and futures.
By including important Samoan dates, we wanted to ensure that the stories of Samoa were not forgotten or overlooked. Like the Māori dates in our other planners, this one page sparked something powerful: people recognised themselves and their history in the tools they use every day.
Key dates that shaped Samoa
Some of the dates we include in our Samoan planners are:
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1899 – Germany annexes Western Samoa
Samoa was divided between colonial powers, and Germany took control of the western islands. -
1914 – New Zealand occupies Western Samoa
During World War I, New Zealand forces landed in Samoa. Their administration would shape decades of political struggle. -
1928 – The Mau movement
New Zealand authorities shot dead 11 members of the Mau, a non-violent resistance group seeking Samoan self-determination. This was a defining moment in Samoa’s modern history. -
1962 – Independence
Western Samoa became the first Pacific island nation to gain independence, leading the way for the region. -
1990 – Universal suffrage introduced
Voters narrowly approved universal suffrage, changing how government representation worked. -
2009 – Earthquake and tsunami
A devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the islands, followed by a tsunami that caused widespread loss of life. -
2021 – Political change
Samoa experienced a historic shift when Hon Fiame Naomi Mata’afa became the nation’s first female Prime Minister.
These dates are not just markers on a timeline — they are moments of pain, resilience, and progress. They are reminders that Samoan history is not separate from global history, but it has its own unique trajectory and lessons.
Why this matters
Like in Aotearoa, many of us grew up learning little about these events. We knew world history, but not our own. By bringing these dates into a daily tool, we help people remember and reflect — not once a year in a history book, but every time they plan their week or set their goals.
Our customers tell us this page often sparks intergenerational conversations: tamaiti asking parents or grandparents what they remember about a cyclone, a march, or a political change. That kōrero is where real learning happens.
Contemporary Samoan dates: history in our lifetime
It’s not only the distant past that shapes Samoa — history is still unfolding around us, and it deserves to be remembered too. That’s why our planners also include contemporary dates that have changed the direction of the nation in recent decades.
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2009 – Earthquake and tsunami
A devastating natural disaster that claimed lives and reshaped communities. Remembering this date honours both loss and resilience. -
2011 – The dateline shift
Samoa skipped a day and moved west of the international dateline, aligning more closely with trading partners. It was a symbolic and practical shift that showed Samoa’s adaptability in a modern world. -
2021 – A new government and Samoa’s first female Prime Minister
The election of Hon Fiame Naomi Mata’afa was historic, marking the first woman to lead the nation. It also represented a major political transition as the FAST Party came into power after decades of a single-party government.
By including these more recent events, our planners remind us that Samoan history is not frozen in textbooks — it is living, moving, and constantly reshaping the future. For our tamaiti, seeing these dates normalised alongside independence or the Mau movement is a way of showing that they too are living through history worth remembering.
How this ties into the Tuhi kaupapa
For us, it’s not about producing just another planner. It’s about creating tools that reflect identity — language, culture, spirituality, and history. Including Samoan dates affirms that our stories matter, that they belong in the everyday, and that they deserve to be remembered alongside global events.
Final thoughts
Adding these dates may seem like a small design choice. But it’s part of something bigger — a movement of reclaiming and recording our own narratives. Each time someone flips through a Tuhi Samoan planner and sees those dates, it’s another act of remembrance, another moment of pride, and another step toward keeping history alive for future generations.