The Niu Dawn - lessons of the Dawn Raids | Ep 1 - New Stories for New Generations

We look at the young Pasifika creatives bringing the 'Dawn Raids' play written by Oscar Kightley to new audiences.

Oscar guides us through the different eras of this groundbreaking stage play, and how this story has had the power to connect audiences across the decades and is still informing young generations today.

The Dawn Raids period in New Zealand (from the 1970s to early 1980s) refers to a time when the New Zealand police aggressively targeted Pacific Island migrants, particularly those from Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji, who were suspected of overstaying their visas or being in the country illegally.

The raids were carried out at night, with police breaking into homes, often without warrants, to arrest individuals. This period was marked by racial profiling, fear, and widespread harassment of the Pacific Island community, fueled by concerns over immigration and economic pressures.

The raids caused significant distress among Pacific families, leading to long-term social and psychological impacts. The policy is now widely acknowledged as discriminatory, and in 2021 the New Zealand government presented a formal apology to Pasifika communities for the harm caused during this period.