Thomas Nauer | |
---|---|
Member of the Legislative Assembly | |
In office 1948–1953 | |
Constituency | A'ana |
Personal details | |
Born | 1910 |
Died | 9 February 1953 |
Thomas George Nauer (1910 – 9 February 1953), also known as Tofa Tōmasi, was a Western Samoan politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly between 1948 and 1953.
Nauer was the son of a German trader and his Samoan wife, a daughter of a Fa'amatai. [1] He was educated at the Marist school, [2] and later became a trader based in Falealili, where he married Pulaloa, who was also half German and the daughter of a Samoan chief.
During World War II Nauer was deported to New Zealand as a result of his German citizenship and interned. Whilst in New Zealand he studied commercial law and accountancy. [2] When he returned to Samoa after the war, he renounced his European status, becoming one of the first European-Samoans to take Samoan status. [3] He took the title Tofa Tōmasi, [3] and lived as a matai at Faleasiu, where he ran a small shop. [1] After being nominated to be a member of the Legislative Assembly for A'ana as part of the 1948 election process, he was initially unable to take his seat due to his German nationality. [4] However, after gaining British citizenship, he was able to become a member of the legislature. [5] He was subsequently re-elected in the 1951 elections, [6] and remained an MLA until his death on 9 February 1953 at the age of 43, [1] [7] [2] having been widely viewed as a strong candidate to become Samoa's first Prime Minister. [8]
Nauer's son George initially held European status, but also changed to Samoan, inheriting his father's title. He later became a government minister in 1970. [1]
Thomas Nauer | |
---|---|
Member of the Legislative Assembly | |
In office 1948–1953 | |
Constituency | A'ana |
Personal details | |
Born | 1910 |
Died | 9 February 1953 |
Thomas George Nauer (1910 – 9 February 1953), also known as Tofa Tōmasi, was a Western Samoan politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly between 1948 and 1953.
Nauer was the son of a German trader and his Samoan wife, a daughter of a Fa'amatai. [1] He was educated at the Marist school, [2] and later became a trader based in Falealili, where he married Pulaloa, who was also half German and the daughter of a Samoan chief.
During World War II Nauer was deported to New Zealand as a result of his German citizenship and interned. Whilst in New Zealand he studied commercial law and accountancy. [2] When he returned to Samoa after the war, he renounced his European status, becoming one of the first European-Samoans to take Samoan status. [3] He took the title Tofa Tōmasi, [3] and lived as a matai at Faleasiu, where he ran a small shop. [1] After being nominated to be a member of the Legislative Assembly for A'ana as part of the 1948 election process, he was initially unable to take his seat due to his German nationality. [4] However, after gaining British citizenship, he was able to become a member of the legislature. [5] He was subsequently re-elected in the 1951 elections, [6] and remained an MLA until his death on 9 February 1953 at the age of 43, [1] [7] [2] having been widely viewed as a strong candidate to become Samoa's first Prime Minister. [8]
Nauer's son George initially held European status, but also changed to Samoan, inheriting his father's title. He later became a government minister in 1970. [1]