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Witness History: Polynesian Panthers

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Polynesian Panthers

07/11/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Polynesian Panthers

Polynesians in 1970s New Zealand fight back against dawn raids by the police

In 1971, the Polynesian Panthers was formed in New Zealand to fight racial discrimination, particularly dawn raids by police. Ben Henderson spoke to Melani Anae about it.

In the early 1970s, New Zealand’s government cracked down on Polynesian migrants who had overstayed their work permits. 

They carried out what became known as the Dawn Raids, when police raided Polynesian households in the early hours of the morning looking for overstayers. 

The Polynesian community felt targeted and formed a resistance group, the Polynesian Panthers, in June 1971. Ben Henderson spoke to founding member, Melani Anae.

(Music credit: Thou We Are - Unity Pacific)

(Photo: Protestors. Credit: Getty Images)

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