Niu Dawn

WHAKAAKO KIA WHAKAORA / EDUCATE TO LIBERATE

The story behind the mural

The Niu Dawn Mural Project addresses Pasifika migration to Aotearoa/New Zealand for work opportunities, the Dawn Raids of 1974-1976, the rise of the Polynesian Panthers and social justice for those incarcerated and removed. The fight against racism, equity and social injustice continues to this day. The mural was completed in December 2024.

The New Zealand Police, instructed by the government, raided homes, businesses and stopped people on the streets demanding permits, visas, passports for proof of the right to be in New Zealand. Pacific peoples were the almost exclusive target despite the bulk of overstayers (people remaining in the country after visas have expired) were from Europe or North America.

The Niu Dawn Mural Project includes artists Huriana KopekeTe Aho, Numa Mackenzie, Toa Sieke Taihia, Simon Endres, Chris McBride with support from kaiawhina Harata Sidney, Owen Thompson and volunteers. Tigilau Ness of The Polynesian Panther Party Legacy Trust provided pre-production advice and support. The Mural Project is part of our mahi to bring our stories alive with inspirational messaging, recognising past and future hopes and well-being and to generate positive inspiration and hope for future generations.

The Niu Dawn Mural Project follows on from the nearby Whakaako Kia Whakaora Educate To Liberate completed in 2021 with support from former Black Panther Party Revolutionary Artist and Minister of Culture Emory Douglas and Polynesian Panther Party Minister of Culture, musician and activist Tigilau Ness.

The production of the Niu Dawn Mural was funded by the Ministry for Culture & Heritage, Pacific People's Ministry and administered by Creative New Zealand. Additional support for the Niu Dawn website development and Zine: Auckland Council Content Creation Services Auckland Library.

Mural Symbolism

Waka Hourua / Waka Lele

Waka Hourua, essential for travel, have cultural and historical significance for Māori and Pasifika nations. The Waka Lele has become the modern day equivalent for connecting whānau across the Pacific.

Apihai Te Kawau

Apihai Te Kawau. Ngāti Whatua Rangatira signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Manukau in 1840. He provided 3000 acres to establish Auckland. In 2024, Ngāti Whātua launched their waka “Te Kawau” named after Apihai Te Kawau and the Kawau manu -a continuing association with Moana.

Migration

Pacific Islands immigration to Aotearoa began in the 1950 and peaked in the 1960s and 1970s. The New Zealand Government encouraged Pacific migrant workers to provide unskilled and semi-skilled labour for the expanding manufacturing sector Particularly in Auckland and Wellington

Aiga arriving

Migrants from the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau arrived as New Zealand citizens. Samoans and Tongans required approval to live and work in New Zealand.

Mahi

In the 1960s and 1970s, thousand of Pacific migrants arrived in New Zealand on temporary work permits. Working mainly in factories, they became essential workers in fish processing, meatworks, Crown Lynn Pottery, dressmaking and car assembly lines.

Dawn Raids

Polynesian Panthers

The Polynesian Panthers were established on 16 June 1971. Molded on the Black Panther Party, they formed to address racism, marginalisation and discrimination experienced by the Pacific Community. Their work continues to this day through their 'Educate to Liberate' programme.

More about the Panthers

A Niu Dawn

In August 2021 after lobbying by The Polynesian Panther Party Legacy Trust, The New Zealand Government issued a formal apology for the distress and impact on Pacific communities caused by racism and the Dawn Raids of the 1970s.

Migration

Pacific Islands immigration to Aotearoa began in the 1950 and peaked in the 1960s and early 1970s. The New Zealand Government encouraged Pacific migrant workers to provide unskilled and semi-skilled labour for the expanding manufacturing sector. Migrants from the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau arrived as New Zealand citizens. Samoans and Tongans required approval to live and work in New Zealand. However, the government overlooked this requirement.

Auckland was promoted as a “mecca” for Pacific peoples -a land of “milk and honey” with plenty of work, housing, education and riches. The government invitation was enticing. In Wellington there was work in the car factories. The Pacific Islanders' Church Newton was also a welcome place for recent arrivals.All was good – until the rise of racism, discrimination and the Dawn Raids.

After a decline in the economy and the 1973 oil crisis, intolerence and racism towards Pacific migrants increased in the 1970s. They were branded as 'overstayers' and 'Islanders' and Pacific migration was portrayed as a 'brown epidemic. In 1974 the Kirk Labour government clamped down on people overstaying their visas. Immigration policy was further tightened by the incoming National Government who expanded the Dawn Raids targeting Pasifika peoples. Public protest led by the Polynesian Panthers, Acord and community activists saw the end of the raids in the late 1970s.

Community

During the 1960s and 1970s, Pasifika people's dominated inner city Auckland. While many also migrated to other regions, Auckland became a major pacific centre. Pacific Island churches, clubs and shops were established. Local shops carried taro, coconuts, bananas and a range of Pacific staples. The main population was centred around Freemans Bay, Grey Lynn and Newton during this period. Karangahape Road had previuosly been a place of significance pre colonisation, however, Karanga-a-Hape became the main Pasifika hub at this time.

However, the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, saw the removal of the Paciic community from the central suburbs as the gentrification of the area caused by competion for housing, rent and house price increases, and many manufacturing and other industrial jobs moved to South Auckland and West Auckland.

Discrimination increased contributing to a forced removal. The Dawn Raids began in 1974 further increasing the level of racism in the community. Pasifika familes were under increasing stress. The Polynesian Panther Party was a resistance group set up to counter this discrimination and to fight for justice.

Polynesian Panther Party

The Polynesian Panthers were established on 16 June 1971. Molded on the Black Panther Party (USA), they formed to address racism, marginalisation and discrimination experienced by the Pacific Community. They began by organising homework centres, tenancy support groups (TAB) and support groups - building a reputation of respectibility.

Their work continues to this day through the 'Educate to Liberate' programme in schools, universities and businesses across Aotearoa.

For more information, go to the PPP section of the Whakaaako Kia Whakaora Educate To Liberate mural page - panthers.liberationlibrary.nz

Dawn Raids

The governments of the 1970s targeted Pasifika communities as their immigration scapegoat. Dawn Raids of homes and workplaces by Immigration and Police, Police brutality and harassment affected all brown people regardless of their immigration status.

“In 1974 the Kirk government clamped down on people overstaying the time allowed by their visas. Pacific Islanders attracted the most attention, with Samoans and Tongans particularly affected, and 'dawn raids' by police on the homes of suspected overstayers were introduced in 1974. Immigration policy continued to be tightened under the National government that won power in 1975. Dawn raids ended in the late 1970s after considerable public outcry, including protests by the Polynesian Panthers, a group of New Zealand-born Pacific Islanders influenced by the American Black Panthers movement.”

Source: 'Pacific Islands and New Zealand - Immigration and aid' (Ministry for Culture and Heritage) (published 20-June-2012)

"The Police were just doing their job just like us; we were just doing our job as activists."
Tigilau Ness, 2015

The Apology

A Niu Dawn: In August 2021 after lobbying by The Polynesian Panther Party Legacy Trust, The New Zealand Government issued a formal apology for the distress and impact on Pacific communities caused by racism and the Dawn Raids of the 1970s.

“The government expresses its sorrow, remorse, and regret that the Dawn Raids and random police checks occurred and that these actions were ever considered appropriate.

“Our government conveys to the future generations of Aotearoa that the past actions of the Crown were wrong, and that the treatment of your ancestors was wrong. We convey to you our deepest and sincerest apology.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Source: RNZ 1^st August 2021

“Fifty years on we still continue that legacy which has led us to this time and this place.” Reverend Alex Toleafoa said they have gone into schools to help teachers and educators understand the Dawn Raids. “A frequent response we have from students is disbelief that anything like the Dawn Raids could actually happen.” He said there is a need for more knowledge about this part of Pacific people's history. He said a new dawn is today spreading across the nation.
Source: RNZ 1^st August 2021

Art

"Artists have a way of instantly communicating essence. Things are made clear, almost like a language, and so art is a powerful tool to communicate with the community."
Emory Douglas, Revolutionary Artist and Minister of Culture, Black Panther Party

"While one\'s creative work strengthens our wellbeing and identity as Pacific people, we can\'t forget that our identity too strengthens our art."
Lana Lopesi

A small selection from Pasifika creatives

Music

Pasifika Poets

Art

Niu Dawn Hub

Selection of other projects funded by: Ministry for Culture & Heritage and Pacific Peoples Ministry.

Pacific Underground 'Dawn Raids'

Formed as a theatre co. in ChCh, 1992, Pacific Underground remains NZ's longest running Pacific performing arts group.

Useful links:

Black Grace 'The Guerrilla Collection - A Niu Dawn'

'A Niu Dawn' brings together a diverse group of Moana Oceania Artists and community groups focused on celebrating our lives here in Aotearoa since the Dawn Raids.

Useful links:

Fua Creative 'Heart of a Father'

Fua Creative is a Creative Arts Company, seeking to create innovative arts experiences, programmes and services

Useful links:

Ministry for Culture & Heritage: Understanding Dawn Raids

A digital hub to support the telling of Pacific people's historical stories, focusing on the Dawn Raids of the 1970s.

Useful links:

Understanding Dawn Raids