To generate, preserve, raise awareness and pass on knowledge of this time in New Zealand's history we are supporting several projects.
The Vaka of Stories is intended to facilitate community healing and to share knowledge of the Dawn Raids across Pacific communities and generations. It enables people impacted directly and indirectly by the events of the Dawn Raids to share their experiences in a safe environment.
The Vaka of Stories has two stages. Stage 1 took place in 2023, Stage 2 will take place in 2025.
The Vaka of Stories Stage 1 was launched in July 2023 at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa EFKS Grey Lynn, Auckland.
During Vaka of Stories Stage 1, the ‘Vaka’ travelled around Aotearoa New Zealand to collect stories and experiences of the Dawn Raids from communities. Vaka stops were held in Avondale, Ōtāhuhu, Ōtara, Hamilton, Porirua, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. At drop-in centers group and one-on-one Talanoa sessions were held with participants, their family, and friends. Individuals shared their stories, whether they were directly impacted, their loved ones were affected, or they experienced the repercussions of perceptions and attitudes shaped by the Dawn Raids.
The Vaka of Stories Stage 2 will build on the work already done in Vaka of Stories Stage 1. Stage 2 will focus on gathering more stories, particularly from Pacific community elders, to ensure their voices and experiences are preserved and shared.
The Vaka will continue its journey across Aotearoa New Zealand, visiting communities and holding talanoa. These interview sessions will provide a platform for people to share their personal narratives and reflections on the Dawn Raids.
Watch this space – we will be adding more detailed information in June about the Vaka of Stories Stage 2, including how you can participate.
The Full History Publication will focus on the experiences of Pacific peoples in New Zealand, including those who were directly targeted during the mid-1970s Dawn Raids and their families. The ripple effects the Raids sent across generations, the variety of responses from communities, and the resilience of Pacific peoples will be explored. Importantly, the impacts on, and view of the Dawn Raids from Pacific nations will also be covered.
The Full History will also look at Pacific peoples’ migration, the new communities they were building in New Zealand, their working and church life, the Pacific nations and communities they had left and their continuing relationships with them, and the social, cultural, and economic contribution they were making to their new home.
The Full History will be underpinned by a wide range of historical sources. The accounts shared by individuals through the Vaka of Stories project will be an essential resource for the Full History, ensuring that the experiences of Pacific peoples are well and accurately represented.
The Teu le Va - Dawn Raids History Community Fund was established as part of the Dawn Raids apology by the Government. This fund was part of a reconciliation process to capture a historical account of the Dawn Raids.
Successful applicants received funding to share stories of experiences of the Dawn Raids so they could generate, preserve, raise awareness and pass on knowledge of this time in history.