PM Jacinda Ardern delivers formal apology for the 1970s dawn raids | nzherald.co.nz
Summary
TLDRThe speaker offers a formal apology on behalf of the New Zealand government for the discriminatory 'Dawn Raids' of the 1970s, which targeted Pacific Islanders. The apology acknowledges the racial profiling and wrongful detentions, expressing remorse and a commitment to reconciliation. The government pledges support for education, scholarships, and historical documentation to heal and prevent repetition of past injustices.
Takeaways
- đ The speaker represents the New Zealand government and acknowledges the past wrongs of the crown against Pacific communities nearly 50 years ago.
- đ The script discusses the migration of Pacific peoples to New Zealand in the 1950s and their integral role in the nation's cultural and social fabric today.
- đš The Dawn raids of the 1970s are highlighted as a dark chapter in New Zealand's history, where Pacific peoples were racially profiled and targeted under discriminatory immigration laws.
- đ Economic downturn in the 1970s led to increased societal fears, with Pacific migrants being scapegoated for economic issues, resulting in the Dawn raids.
- đ The Dawn raids involved police and immigration officials conducting late-night and early-morning raids on Pacific families' homes, often with dogs, causing significant distress.
- đ There was a lawful provision for random stops and checks, but it was exploited to racially profile Pacific peoples, leading to widespread protests and the formation of social justice movements like the Polynesian Panthers.
- đ The statistics show that Pacific peoples were disproportionately targeted and prosecuted compared to other overstayers from the US and UK, despite similar proportions of overstaying.
- đ The government offers a formal apology to Pacific communities for the discriminatory implementation of immigration laws during the 1970s, expressing sorrow and regret.
- đ The government commits to supporting the development of a historical account of the Dawn raids for educational purposes and to provide resources for schools to teach this history.
- đ° The government pledges financial support in the form of scholarships and fellowships for Pacific communities and short-term training scholarships for young leaders from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and other Pacific nations.
- đ The script concludes with a hope for closure and healing for Pacific communities and a commitment to grow together as a nation, recognizing the sacrifices made by Pacific peoples for New Zealand.
Q & A
What is the significance of the event being referred to in the script?
-The event being referred to is the Dawn raids, a series of discriminatory immigration enforcement actions in New Zealand during the 1970s, which targeted Pacific Islanders and other people of color.
What was the economic context that led to the migration from the Pacific to New Zealand in the 1950s?
-The economic boom of the 1950s in New Zealand encouraged significant migration from the Pacific region to fill labor shortages in the manufacturing and primary production sectors.
How did the economic downturn in the early 1970s affect the perception of Pacific migrants in New Zealand?
-The economic downturn led to a shift in societal attitudes, with migrants being seen as a threat to financial security and quality of life, particularly Pacific Islanders who became scapegoats for societal fears.
What were the Dawn raids, and how were they conducted by authorities?
-The Dawn raids were police and immigration enforcement actions where officials, often accompanied by dogs, conducted late-night and early-morning raids on Pacific families' homes, forcibly removing residents for questioning and prosecution.
What was the impact of the Dawn raids on the targeted communities?
-The Dawn raids caused significant distress, disruption of trust in authorities, and a lasting legacy of unresolved grievances and racial profiling within Pacific communities in New Zealand.
What role did social justice movements like the Polynesian Panthers play in response to the Dawn raids?
-The Polynesian Panthers and other groups protested against the discriminatory practices of the Dawn raids, raising awareness and advocating for the rights of Pacific peoples.
What was the outcome of the inquiry report by the race relations conciliator Walter Hirsch in 1986?
-The report found that Pacific peoples, who made up roughly a third of overstays, represented 86% of all prosecutions during the Dawn raids period, while other nationalities made up only 5%, despite also comprising a similar proportion of overstayers.
What apology and commitments did the New Zealand government offer to the Pacific communities for the Dawn raids?
-The government offered a formal and unreserved apology for the discriminatory implementation of immigration laws, expressing sorrow, remorse, and regret. They also committed to supporting the development of a historical account of the Dawn raids, providing education scholarships, and offering training scholarships for young Pacific leaders.
How does the script address the issue of trust and reconciliation with Pacific communities?
-The script acknowledges the enduring hurt and the need for meaningful, genuine reconciliation that restores balance from past wrongs. It emphasizes the government's commitment to honoring Pacific ways of seeking reconciliation and ensuring future generations are educated about the Dawn raids.
What are the tangible gestures of goodwill and reconciliation outlined by the government in the script?
-The gestures include supporting the development of a historical account of the Dawn raids for educational purposes, providing education scholarships and fellowships to Pacific communities, and offering short-term training scholarships for young leaders from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and other Pacific Island nations.
How does the script reflect on the ongoing journey and transformation of Pacific communities in New Zealand?
-The script recognizes the resilience and prosperity of Pacific communities, acknowledging their integral role in New Zealand's cultural and social fabric and their active contributions to the nation's success.
Outlines
đïž Reflection on Pacific Migration and Dawn Raids
The speaker acknowledges the audience and reflects on the historical context of Pacific peoples in New Zealand, highlighting the migration wave in the 1950s and the subsequent formation of a diverse nation. The narrative then shifts to the darker chapter of the 'Dawn Raids' in the 1970s, where discriminatory immigration laws led to the targeting and mistreatment of Pacific Islanders. The speaker describes the economic boom that initially attracted migrants and the subsequent economic downturn that led to a backlash against these communities. The Dawn Raids involved police and immigration officials conducting raids on Pacific families' homes, often with dogs, resulting in wrongful detentions and public racial profiling.
đą Protests and the End of Dawn Raids
This paragraph details the response to the Dawn Raids, including protests by various groups such as the Citizens Association for Racial Equality, Amnesty Arohat, the Federation of Labor, and the Polynesian Panthers, a youth social justice movement. The collective efforts led to the cessation of the Dawn Raids in 1976. The speaker emphasizes the discriminatory nature of the immigration enforcement, supported by statistics showing the disproportionate targeting of Pacific peoples. An inquiry by Walter Hirsch in 1986 revealed the extent of racial profiling during the Dawn Raids, and the speaker expresses the ongoing impact on the Pacific communities, including the unresolved grievances and the disruption of trust in authorities.
đââïž Formal Apology and Commitment to Reconciliation
The speaker delivers a formal and unreserved apology on behalf of the New Zealand government for the discriminatory implementation of immigration laws during the 1970s, which led to the Dawn Raids. The apology is accompanied by expressions of sorrow, remorse, and regret, acknowledging the past wrongs and the government's commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and respect. The speaker also addresses the impact on other affected communities and pledges to eliminate racism in all its forms. The government commits to honoring Pacific ways of seeking reconciliation and outlines tangible gestures of goodwill, including the development of a historical account of the Dawn Raids for educational purposes, financial support for education scholarships and fellowships, and short-term training scholarships for young leaders from Pacific Island countries.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄPacific peoples
đĄAotearoa
đĄDawn raids
đĄDiscrimination
đĄImmigration laws
đĄRacial profiling
đĄPolynesian Panthers
đĄReconciliation
đĄUnreserved apology
đĄGoodwill and Reconciliation gestures
đĄCultural diversity
Highlights
The speaker acknowledges the audience and the importance of the event, symbolizing the Crown's past wrongdoings.
Reflecting on the history of Pacific peoples in New Zealand, highlighting the migration in the 1950s and its impact on the nation's cultural diversity.
The Pacific Aotearoa journey is described, from new settlement to the current diaspora, emphasizing the integral role of Pacific peoples in New Zealand.
The Dawn raids of the 1970s are identified as a dark chapter in New Zealand's history, casting a long shadow over the Pacific community.
Economic boom in the 1950s led to significant migration from the Pacific to fill labor shortages, contributing to New Zealand's prosperity.
The downturn of the economy in the 1970s resulted in Pacific migrants being scapegoated for societal fears, leading to discriminatory actions.
Dawn raids involved police and immigration officials conducting raids on Pacific families, often with dogs, causing significant distress.
The enforcement of immigration laws was racially biased, with Pacific peoples being disproportionately targeted and racially profiled.
Public protests and movements like the Polynesian Panthers emerged to challenge the discriminatory practices and policies.
The end of the Dawn raids in 1976 was a result of public outcry and protests against the racially biased enforcement of immigration laws.
Statistics reveal the disproportionate impact of the Dawn raids on Pacific peoples compared to other overstayers from the US and UK.
The legacy of the Dawn raids continues to affect trust and faith in authorities among Pacific communities.
The New Zealand government offers a formal apology for the discriminatory implementation of immigration laws during the 1970s.
The government expresses remorse and regret for the dawn raids and acknowledges the negative impact on future generations.
A commitment to eliminating racism and ensuring dignity and respect for all in New Zealand is emphasized.
The government outlines gestures of goodwill and reconciliation, including support for a historical account of the Dawn raids and educational initiatives.
A $2.1 million commitment for education scholarships and fellowships to Pacific communities is announced.
One million dollars in short-term training scholarships for young leaders from Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji is pledged to foster Pacific leadership.
The speaker hopes for closure and healing for Pacific communities and a stronger, unified future for New Zealand.
Acknowledgment and gratitude are expressed to those who suffered and to the individuals and organizations that fought for justice and an apology.
The apology is intended to help Pacific youth feel confident and proud of their heritage and the sacrifices made by their ancestors.
Transcripts
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[Music]
[Music]
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[Applause]
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welcome to you all who have come here
today for this important occasion
I stand before you as a symbol of the
crown that wronged you nearly 50 years
ago
today is a day of solemn reflection
and over the past weeks
I have particularly reflected on the
story of Pacific peoples in New Zealand
this is a lengthy story that continues
to evolve
one part of this biggest story is the
migration from the Pacific to aotearoa
in the 1950s
and how this has shaped who we are today
as a nation made up of many rich and
diverse cultures
we have experienced the Pacific arteroa
Journey shift from one of new settlement
to the present day
Pacific diaspora in New Zealand where
Pacific peoples are an integral part of
aotearo's cultural and social fabric
and our active contributors
try economic success
however in the multiple chapters of
Pacific people's story in New Zealand
the chapter of the Dawn raid stands out
as one that continues to cast a long
shadow
discriminatory application of
immigration laws in the 1970s
during the economic boom of the 1950s
New Zealand encouraged significant
migration from the Pacific region to
fill labor shortages in the
manufacturing and primary production
sector
it was a time of economic prosperity and
many migrated from the Pacific to New
Zealand as a result
however the downturn of the economy in
the early 1970s parts of our society
began to see migrants as jeopardizing
their Financial Security and quality of
life
the migrants who became the focal point
and scapegoat for these fears were
largely Pacific peoples
and when police and immigration enforced
immigration laws around overstaying
not everyone was targeted
stead police and immigration officials
overwhelmingly conducted raids on the
homes of Pacific families
officials often accompanied by dogs
undertook late night and early morning
raids of homes
residents in those homes were woken
abruptly
physically removed from their beds and
forced into police vans to be taken for
questioning
some were hauled to the police station
to appear in court the next day barefoot
and pajamas or enclosed loaned to them
in the holding cells
others were wrongfully detained
during what became known as the dawn
raids period police also conducted
random stops and chicks which required
any person on request to produce their
passport or permit if there was good
cause to suspect in immigration-related
offense like overstaying a permit
this lawful provision was exploited to
racially profile those who were
suspected as being overstays
with Pacific peoples Maori
and other people of color randomly
stopped in the street at churches and
schools and other public places
I understand that at that time public
statements were made that a passport
should be carried by those who look like
and spoke like they were not born in New
Zealand
many groups such as the citizens
Association for racial equality
amnesty aroha and the Federation of
Labor took to the streets and protested
these actions
a prominent youth group was the
Polynesian Panthers
a social justice movement that was
founded in inner city Auckland in June
1971. this movement operated to bring
awareness to the treatment of Pacific
peoples and to protest Crown actions and
immigration policies
these protests coupled with increasingly
negative public reaction led to the end
of the Dawn raids in 1976.
when we look back it is now very clear
that the immigration laws of the time
were enforced in a discriminatory manner
and that pacific peoples were
specifically targeted and racially
profiled when these activities were
carried out
the statistics are undeniable
there were no reported raids on any
homes of people who were not Pacific
no raids or random stops were exacted
towards European people
following an inquiry report of the then
race relations conciliator Walter Hirsch
in 1986 it was found that while Pacific
peoples comprise roughly a third of
overstays
they represented 86 of all prosecutions
during the same period overseas from the
United States and Great Britain who
together comprised also roughly a third
of overstayers
made up only five percent of
prosecutions
while these events took place almost 50
years ago
the legacy of the Dawn raids era lives
on today in Pacific communities
it remains vividly etched in the memory
of those who were directly impacted
it lives on in the disruption of trust
and faith and authorities
and it lives on in the unresolved
grievances of Pacific communities that
these events happened
and that to this day they have gone
unaddressed
today I stand on behalf of the New
Zealand government to offer a formal and
unreserved apology to Pacific
communities for the discriminatory
implementation of the immigration laws
of the 1970s that led to the events of
the Dawn raids
foreign
[Applause]
the government expresses its sorrow
remorse and regret that the dawn raids
and random police checks occurred and
that these actions were ever considered
appropriate
our government conveys to the Future
generations of aotearoa that the past
actions of the crown were wrong
and that the treatment of your ancestors
was wrong
we convey to you our deepest and
sincerest apology
we also apologize for the impact these
events have had on other peoples such as
Maori and other ethnic communities who
are unfairly targeted and impacted by
the random police checks of the time
we acknowledge the distress and hurt
that these experiences would have caused
as a nation we expect everyone in New
Zealand to be treated with dignity and
respect
and we expect that all individuals are
guaranteed their rights without
distinction of any kind
unfortunately these expectations were
not met in this case and in equities
that stem from direct and indirect
discrimination continue to exist
we're committed to eliminating racism in
all its forms in aotearoa New Zealand
and affording everyone the right to be
treated humanely and with respect and
with dignity
I want to emphasize that under our
current immigration compliance regime
the government no longer prioritizes
compliance activity and deportation on
the basis of ethnicity or nationality
but instead seeks to address potential
risk to the New Zealand community and
the Integrity of the immigration system
as a government we want to honor Pacific
ways of seeking reconciliation
we understand that specific practices
and protocols vary but the Common Thread
that underpins these practices is the
expectation of reconciliation that is
Meaningful
genuine and that restores the balance
from past wrongs
we want our apology to be in a manner
that has meaning to Pacific peoples
I also hope that our presence and
apology here today helps weave together
our connections as people
but I understand that in many cultures
including in Pacific cultures words
alone are not sufficient to give a an
apology and it is appropriate to include
tangible gestures of Goodwill and
Reconciliation
we acknowledge the enduring hurt that
has been caused to those who are
directly affected by the dawn raids as
well as the lasting impact these events
have had on subsequent Generations
I've heard that for many people the hurt
was so deep that nearly 50 years later
it's a struggle to talk about
we recognize no gestures can mean this
hurt
however
we hope that the gestures I'm about to
outline are accepted as a way of
expressing our deepest sorrow or
recognizing the wrongs of the past and
to pave a new dawn
and a new beginning for Pacific peoples
in New Zealand
as a government we commit to the
following gestures of Goodwill and
Reconciliation to our Pacific
communities
we will support the development of a
historical account of the Dawn raids
which can be used for education purposes
as part of this the community will have
the opportunity to come forward and
share their experiences
May the process of gathering an official
historic account from written records in
oral history provide an opportunity for
Pacific peoples to begin a New Journey
of healing and we hope one that will
restore money
we will ensure resources are available
to schools in Kuta who choose to teach
the history of the Dawn raids which
would include histories of those
directly affected
may this opportunity help future
Generations gain knowledge and
understanding that will help them ensure
the mistakes of the past and not ever
repeat it again
we will provide 2.1 million dollars in
education scholarships and fellowships
to Pacific communities in New Zealand
may this juice to provide opportunities
for the pursuit of tertiary education on
subjects that will build confidence and
pride in Pacific peoples of aotearoa New
Zealand
and we will provide one million dollars
in monarchy New Zealand short-term
training scholarships for young leaders
from Samoa Tonga tavalu and Fiji
May these opportunities grow Pacific
leadership that is confident and proud
most 50 years on from the dawn raids the
Pacific story continues to shift
this chapter Caesar Pacific aotearo that
is self-assured thriving prosperous and
resilient
we hope that today has brought some
much-needed closure and healing for our
Pacific communities and that it will
enable us to keep growing together as a
community and as a nation
once again
my deepest acknowledgments and respect
to all those who are directly affected
by the Harm's cause during the dawn
raids
including those who continue to suffer
the scars
my acknowledgment and gratitude to the
many individuals and organizations who
stood up for justice called out the dawn
raids for what they were supported
Pacific peoples throughout and
championed the need for an apology
it is my sincere hope this apology will
go some way in helping the Pacific Youth
of today know with certainty that they
have every right to hold their head up
high and feel confident and proud of
their Pacific heritage
and in particular the sacrifices the
appearance and grandparents have made
for aotearoa New Zealand
may my words today be received in the
spirit of humility that I convey them
[Applause]
thank you
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