A movement takes shape

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, many Pacific people moved to New Zealand for work, education and family opportunities. Pacific communities contributed to the country’s growing cities, especially Auckland. At the same time, many faced racism and barriers in employment, housing and education. Government immigration enforcement also fell disproportionately on Pacific people. Although people from several parts of the world overstayed their visas, Pacific people were especially likely to be stopped and scrutinised because of their appearance and background. The Polynesian Panthers were founded in Auckland in 1971 by young people, including many of Pacific heritage. Their name and some ideas were influenced by the Black Panther Party in the United States, but the Panthers organised in response to conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand. They aimed to challenge racism and support their communities. Their work included practical services such as homework support, food assistance and help dealing with legal or official systems. They also used public education and protest to draw attention to discrimination. During the 1970s, police and immigration officials carried out the so-called Dawn Raids: checks on people suspected of overstaying, sometimes conducted at homes at night or early in the morning. Pacific people were disproportionately targeted. The Panthers opposed the raids and challenged the way they harmed families and communities. Their activism contributed to public debate about racism, immigration enforcement and who was treated as belonging in New Zealand. In 2021, the New Zealand Government formally apologised to Pacific communities for the Dawn Raids.

Source card: What kind of activism?

A historian summarises the Panthers’ work as combining direct community support with campaigns that challenged unfair treatment. Their approach can be studied by asking: What problem were they responding to? Who benefited from their actions? What wider change did they seek?

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