19 Mar 2021

NZ govt is urged to apologise for Dawn Raids in 70's

From , 6:00 am on 19 March 2021
A selection of images from the 1970s, the era of the dawn raids, by photographer John Miller, as part of the exhibition.

A selection of images from the 1970s, the era of the dawn raids, by photographer John Miller, as part of the exhibition. Photo: RNZ / Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor

A Pacific social justice movement is calling on the New Zealand government to formally apologise for the dawn raids of the 1970's.

Labour and then National governments of the era authorised police raids on Pasifika homes and work places, to check for overstayers, even churches and schools, were not taboo.

The Polynesian Panthers want a government apology for the race based dawn raids and a pathway to residency for today's overtayers.

Dominic Godfrey reports.