Untold Pacific History - Episode 1: Waking Up to the Dawn Raids (Aotearoa)

Of the many real life events of Pasifika people in Aotearoa, the Dawn Raids period in our recent history, is a story that is overdue to be told. Long whispered about in secret family conversations, people have heard the words ‘Dawn Raids’ but not about what really happened.

In this critical examination of a time little-known in New Zealand’s social history, this piece features key talent involved in the infamous New Zealand government ‘Dawn Raids’ regime; from a Samoan policeman who was at the forefront of the raids; to the personal stories of families impacted in this time. 

This episode explores the landscape of Aotearoa in the 1970’s and the global political factors that led to the economic decline that turned the tide of public sentiment against ‘illegal immigrants’.

This important mini-doco looks at the relationship of Aotearoa and its Pacific population, and how this has evolved over the decades.

In this short-form encapsulated history of the Dawn Raids era, historians, Pacific families, teachers and a policeman help to paint a picture of a time that redefined the lives of Pacific people in Aotearoa.