O. F. Nelson

Olaf Frederick Nelson was a prominent Samoan political leader and businessman of mixed Samoan and European heritage. He played a significant role in the Samoan independence movement, particularly through his leadership of the Mau movement in the early 20th century.1

The Mau, meaning "Strongly Held View," was an organized political movement that emerged in response to attempts by the New Zealand administration to undermine traditional Samoan leadership and business interests. Nelson, whose mother was Samoan, became a key figure in this movement. New Zealand outlawed the Mau and exiled Nelson, but the movement's determination grew, especially after New Zealand troops killed unarmed demonstrators in 1929. By 1935, the New Zealand government recognized the Mau as a legal political organization, marking a step towards improved relations and eventual independence for Samoa in 1962.1