Polynesian Panthers
Polynesians in 1970s New Zealand fight back against dawn raids by the police
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
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)