Locating Moana Oceania
Dawn Raids Documentary
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/dawn-raids-2005/overview
Quotes
The dawn raids were shameful, because in essence they set out to pick up anybody who didn’t look like a Pākehā or palangi New Zealander. They swooped on people who were Māori, they swooped on many Pasifika people who had absolutely lawful residence in New Zealand, may even have been born here…
Helen Clark
Oscar Kightley in Sunday Star Times, 31 July 2005
It was a painful time to be a Pacific Islander in New Zealand. I don’t think it’s something we should hide from.
Ex Minister of Immigration Aussie Malcolm
The police proposed that they would simply stop people in the street and ask them for their documentation – hello, what is this? South Africa? Pass laws, you’ve got to carry your passport to prove you’re a Kiwi. I don’t think they meant to be so offensive, but it was wierd.
Massey University Professor Paul Spoonley
Statistics show that through the 70s and the 1980s, that the bulk of overstayers in New Zealand were actually from Europe and from North America, but they weren’t targeted to anything like the same extent.
Former Police Task Force Commander Ross Dallow
…Very much was made of the word ‘dawn raids’. It’s very emotive. Just remember — these young fellas were working in the freezing works, heading off to work at five and six in the morning. They were on long shifts and so on, and that was the only time you could get them.
Thoughts on this
Given that the Government has issued a formal apology, it’s clear that this was a shameful episode in NZ history.
Don’t doubt that there was overstaying or breaches of immigration conditions, but the response to this was in no way proportional, and went as far in some cases to become a fundamental violation of human rights.
Stop and search – comparison to “pass laws” in South Africa under Apartheid are not unjustified.
Oceania / Pacific Island
Select 1 or 2 Conversation points
- What do you know about the current concerns of the communities of the Pacific Island groups? A couple of options are below
a. Use google to find out about Banaba and Bikini islands both forsaken for economic or/an political power. Discuss what you found out.
b. Provide examples like the impacts of climate crisis and reflect on Hauofa’s point about kaitiaki roles, - If someone asked you what is a Pacific Islander? What would you say? Would you say that is you?
a. Discuss, why
b. Or would you not? & discuss why not? - Discuss what you know about the Pacific
a. Who lives there
b. Its expanse
c. Its history - How heard is the voice of the Pacific Island identity (beyond NZ) in terms of political & economic power – internationally or even within Oceania? Discuss your ideas.
- Do you listen to Pacific Rapp? Why and what does it say to you?