PM Jacinda Ardern delivers formal apology for the 1970s dawn raids | nzherald.co.nz

Summary

The 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

• 👑 The speaker represents the New Zealand government and acknowledges the past wrongs of the crown against Pacific communities nearly 50 years ago.
• 🌊 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.
• 🚨 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.
• 📉 Economic downturn in the 1970s led to increased societal fears, with Pacific migrants being scapegoated for economic issues, resulting in the Dawn raids.
• 🏠 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.
• 📚 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.
• 📉 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.
• 🙏 The government offers a formal apology to Pacific communities for the discriminatory implementation of immigration laws during the 1970s, expressing sorrow and regret.
• 📚 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.
• 💰 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.
• 🌟 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

00:00

🏛️ 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.

05:02

📢 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.

10:03

🙇‍♂️ 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.

Keywords

💡Pacific peoples

The term 'Pacific peoples' refers to the indigenous and ethnic groups originating from the Pacific Islands, including but not limited to Polynesians, Melanesians, and Micronesians. In the context of the video, Pacific peoples are central to the narrative as they were the primary group affected by the Dawn raids, which were discriminatory immigration enforcement actions in New Zealand during the 1970s.

💡Aotearoa

Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand, reflecting the country's bicultural heritage. The script uses this term to emphasize the cultural diversity and the integral role of Pacific peoples as part of New Zealand's social and cultural fabric.

💡Dawn raids

Dawn raids were a series of police and immigration enforcement actions in the 1970s in New Zealand, targeting Pacific Islanders and other ethnic minorities, accusing them of overstaying their visas. The term is used in the script to describe a dark chapter in New Zealand's history, which involved racial profiling and discrimination against Pacific peoples.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of a person or group based on their race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. In the video, the term is used to highlight the unjust application of immigration laws that led to the targeting of Pacific Islanders during the Dawn raids.

💡Immigration laws

Immigration laws are the set of regulations governing the entry, stay, and departure of individuals in a country. The script discusses how these laws were applied in a discriminatory manner during the 1970s, leading to the Dawn raids and the racial profiling of Pacific Islanders.

💡Racial profiling

Racial profiling is the practice of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnicity. The script describes how this practice was exploited in the enforcement of immigration laws, leading to the unfair targeting of Pacific Islanders, Māori, and people of color.

💡Polynesian Panthers

The Polynesian Panthers were a social justice movement founded in 1971 in Auckland, New Zealand. They are mentioned in the script as a group that protested against the treatment of Pacific peoples and the discriminatory Crown actions and immigration policies of the time.

💡Reconciliation

Reconciliation refers to the process of restoring a harmonious relationship after conflict or wrongdoing. The script discusses the government's desire for reconciliation with Pacific communities, acknowledging past wrongs and seeking to restore balance and trust.

💡Unreserved apology

An unreserved apology is a complete and sincere expression of regret without any conditions or reservations. The script includes the government's formal and unreserved apology to Pacific communities for the discriminatory implementation of immigration laws that led to the Dawn raids.

💡Goodwill and Reconciliation gestures

Goodwill and Reconciliation gestures are actions taken to express remorse and to foster healing and improved relations. The script outlines several such gestures by the New Zealand government, including financial support for education and scholarships, as a tangible way to show apology and promote reconciliation with Pacific communities.

💡Cultural diversity

Cultural diversity refers to the variety of cultural or ethnic backgrounds within a group or organization. The script emphasizes the value of cultural diversity in New Zealand, highlighting the contributions of Pacific peoples to the nation's rich tapestry of cultures.

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

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[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