From the 1950s to 1970s, New Zealand encouraged Pacific peoples to immigrate – during a decades long labour shortage they played an essential part in the growing manufacturing and primary production sectors. The welcome ended when New Zealand’s economy suffered a downturn from the early 1970s: Pacific peoples were targeted, blamed for job shortages and other social harms.
From 1974 to 1976, Police and the Immigration Department attempted to rigorously enforce visa conditions, raiding the homes of Pacific families, turning up at their workplaces, churches, and accosting them in the street. Pacific peoples were questioned and required to prove their right to be in New Zealand. The home raids were often early in the morning and sometimes late at night, giving rise to the term “Dawn Raids”.
Pacific leaders, churches, media organisations and groups including the Polynesian Panther Party, Ngā Tamatoa, Amnesty Aroha, the Federation of Labour and the Citizens Association for Racial Equality (CARE) all protested the targeting of Pacific peoples. Within Pacific communities responses varied, with support often strong for those directly impacted.
In the early 2020s, the Polynesian Panther Party and others asked the Government to apologise for the Dawn Raids. The Minister for Pacific Peoples directed the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to undertake a comprehensive research process to support government decision-making. After robust investigation and cross-government consultation, the Ministry advised that an apology be given to communities and individuals impacted by the Dawn Raids. Cabinet approved the recommendation in June 2021.
On 1 August 2021, the Government issued a formal apology to Pacific communities for the Dawn Raids and the treatment of Pacific peoples during that period. The apology was delivered by the Prime Minister at an event held at the Auckland Town Hall.
A livestream of the event is available on Facebook.
The official government release can be found on the Beehive website.
As a gesture of goodwill, the Government approved the Dawn Raids Historical Account Package in 2022. Its purpose was to enhance public awareness and understanding of the Dawn Raids and their significance. It was to do so through the development of community-led historical accounts of the Dawn Raids and responses to them at the time and now.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is also working on the Dawn Raids Historical Account Package and other government agencies have provided goodwill gestures.