Dawn Raids

The 1970s were an era of economic and social change. Global oil shocks hit the New Zealand economy hard, while protests against the Vietnam War and nuclear testing continued. A new generation of activists raised questions about race relations, sexuality and the welfare system in New Zealand. Read the full article

The 1974-6 dawn raids have been described as ‘the most blatantly racist attack on Pacific peoples by the New Zealand government in New Zealand’s history’ Read the full article

History associated with the dawn raids and the Polynesian Panther Party allows teachers and students to explore the exercise of power and understand the impacts of colonisation on all aspects of society. Read the full article

This article offers a brief overview of New Zealand government apologies, focusing on the 2021 dawn raids apology, before offering classroom-based ideas and activities that are intended for students between Years 7 and 13. Read the full article

Resources relating to the Dawn Raids on Pacific communities in the 1970s Read the full article

This timeline guides you through pivotal events between 1968 and 1977, the peak years of the Dawn Raids era Read the full article

Primary sources are helpful for understanding the Dawn Raids as they were experienced by those who lived through them. Read the full article

This page brings together a range of published sources, academic articles, postgraduate theses, and both edited and sole-authored non-fiction books. Read the full article

Popular sources, including podcasts, blogs, social media posts, websites, plays and poetry, offer valuable insights into how the Dawn Raids have been interpreted and discussed over time. Read the full article

This is a dedicated space for sharing stories, dialogue and resources about the Dawn Raids and the Understanding Dawn Raids project. Read the full article

Manatū Taonga commissioned Noelle to create visual elements for the Understanding Dawn Raids. In response, she developed a bespoke series of 38 linocut prints titled Letters Home Read the full article

A selection of the rich collection of screen and moving image resources about the Dawn Raids. Read the full article

In this blog, To‘alepai reflects on experiences of racism and on more than four decades in the airline industry, revealing how mobility between the village and diaspora has been central to sustaining Pacific relationships and community life. Read the full article

This blog brings together Cherie Tautolo’s response after listening to her father, To‘alepai Lui Tautolo, share some of his life story in Aotearoa. Read the full article

A Vietnam veteran and former police officer, Matua Bobby reflects on his experiences during the Dawn Raids: as a Māori constable, as the husband of a Tongan woman, Gemma, and as a father and grandfather. Read the full article

Tongan teacher and punake, a master artist of poetry, music and choreography, Mele Suipi Fakatava Lātū reflects on the unstable sense of belonging that Pacific families faced after the Dawn Raids Read the full article

Overstayers, by Hans Masoe, is a powerful theatrical production that reflects on the lived realities of Pacific migrants who arrived, worked and built their lives in Aotearoa during the era of the Dawn Raids Read the full article

On Sunday 1 August 2021, Manatū Taonga representativestravelled to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to attend the Government's formal apology for the Dawn Raids. Read the full article

This speech was delivered on 1 August 2021 by the then Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, as part of the New Zealand government’s formal apology for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s. Read the full article

The title ‘Understanding Dawn Raids’ draws inspiration from Understanding Polynesians (1974) and Understanding Pakehas (1975), booklets produced by the government’s Vocational Guidance Council at a time of social tension and growing concern about race relations in Aotearoa. Read the full article

The Polynesian Panthers was a socialist activist group that fought against discrimination and racism in Aotearoa. Read the full article