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Biography: Richardson, George Spafford

George Spafford Richardson with high-ranking Samoan chiefs Malietoa Tanumafili II (left) and Mata'afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu'u I.

George Spafford Richardson with high-ranking Samoan chiefs Malietoa Tanumafili II (left) and Mata'afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu'u I.
As administrator of Western Samoa from 1923 until 1928, Sir George Spafford Richardson worked with Samoan chiefs on the Legislative Council but remained largely ignorant of Samoan society and politics. Frustration at his attitude increased the support of ordinary Samoans for the Mau, a nationalist movement.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: PAColl-6348-03

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How to cite this page

Ian McGibbon. 'Richardson, George Spafford', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1996. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1725/george-spafford-richardson-with-high-ranking-samoan-chiefs-malietoa-tanumafili-ii (accessed 5 June 2026).