[2] The legislature was abolished by the German authorities in 1905, but the Fono was subsequently reformed as an advisory body that met twice a year at Mulinuʻu.
[2][3] The Fono was legally recognised by the New Zealand authorities in 1923,[4] and was used by the Administrator to consult on Samoan affairs.
[2] Following a 'goodwill mission' to Samoa by representatives of the new Labour government of New Zealand in July 1936, the Samoans were promised the right to elect the Fono.
[7] When the Legislative Assembly was established in 1947, the Fono was given the right to choose 11 of its 26 members, who sat alongside the Administrator, three fautau (leading chiefs), six civil servants and five elected Europeans.
[8] After one of the three fautau died in 1948, the Fono successfully petitioned to increase the number of members it could nominate to 12.