Career
He was also referred to as Tupua Malietoa To'oa Mata'afa Iosefo. The matai chiefly title Mata'afa is one of four highest titles in Samoa. From the late 19th century, Iosefo (first name) played a pivotal role during the country's colonial era when Germany, Great Britain and the United States were vying for control of the Samoa Islands.
Each western power had their own chiefly candidate for the 'kingship' of Samoa, and Mata'afa was Germany's preferred candidate. In the late 19th century, Mata'afa Iosefo was exiled to the Marshall Islands and was permitted to return in 1898. The Germans upheld his claim for the kingship.
A battle saw Mata'afa's warriors send Tamasese's forces retreating to Mulinu'u Point where a German gunship offered protection. The ensuing bombardment of his villages saw Mata'afa retaliate by wiping out an invading German contingent and plundering the German plantations at the First Battle of Vailele. Eventually Germany, the United States and Britain agreed that Malietoa Laupepa would be restored as the Tafa'ifa of Samoa
He was a major protagonist in the Second Samoan Civil War, an important proxy conflict in the leadup to the outbreak of World War One.
His push for the kingship of Samoa was also supported by the early Mau movement led by orator Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe. In the end, his armed forces were nearly destroyed but he was able to resist all attempts by the Allies to capture or kill him. As a result, the division of Samoa was agreed as a compromise.
Germany obtained the Western half, the US annexed the East, and the British withdrew their claim in exchange for concessions in the Solomon Islands. In 1900, Iosefo was declared Ali'i Sili (highest chief) by the German colonial powers. Iosefo succeeded his father, Mata'afa Tafagamanu, to the Mata'afa title.
Following his death at Mulinu'u in 1912, he was succeeded by Mata'afa Muliufi.