1 Aug 2021

Photo Essay: Dawn Raids apology at Auckland Town Hall

4:41 pm on 1 August 2021

The government is apologising today for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, and RNZ photographers were there to capture the ceremony.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during Dawn Raids apology at the Auckland Town Hall

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during the government apology, being made at the Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is delivering an apology for the raids which occurred under both Labour and National governments which resulted in the deportation and prosecution of many Pacific Islanders.

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HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili of Tonga. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Siasi Tonga Tau'ataina Free Church of Tonga Choir and Brass band with Viliami Telefoni.

Siasi Tonga Tau'ataina Free Church of Tonga Choir and Brass band with Viliami Telefoni. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

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Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

McAuley High School students gifting a Ie Toga or fine mat during the formal part of the Dawn Raids apology.

McAuley High School students gifting a Ie Toga or fine mat during the formal part of the Dawn Raids apology. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A Samoan Sua ceremony is the highest honour of gifting accorded to high ranking chiefs and groups on special occasions.  In this ceremony, Ie Toga or fine mats were gifted.

Part of the gifting ceremony at the the event. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei

The New Zealand government's written apology is given to Sai Lealea a Fijian community leader

The New Zealand government's written apology is given to Sai Lealea a Fijian community leader Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Tonga's HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvala Fotofili

Tonga's HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvala Fotofili Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is embraced by Rev Setaita Taumoepeau K Veikune, MNZM.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is embraced by Rev Setaita Taumoepeau K Veikune, MNZM. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A mat is draped over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Samoan Ifoga ceremonial apology.

A mat is draped over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Samoan Ifoga ceremonial apology. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A mat is put over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Ifoga protocol.

A mat is put over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Ifoga protocol. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony.

Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony.

Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a modified practice of “ifoga” - Samoan reconciliation protocol.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a modified practice of “ifoga” - Samoan reconciliation protocol. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Aupito Tofae Su'a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, and Courts.
Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education (Pacific Peoples), Justice, and Health (Pacific Peoples)

Aupito Tofae Su'a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, and Courts. Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education (Pacific Peoples), Justice, and Health (Pacific Peoples) Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Polynesian Panthers members (L-R) Tigilau Ness, Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith, Dr Melani Anae.

Polynesian Panthers members (L-R) Tigilau Ness, Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith, Dr Melani Anae. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

PM is seated next to Carmel Sepuloni,  Jenny Salesa, Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, Willie Jackson and Aupito William Sio.

PM is seated next to Carmel Sepuloni, Jenny Salesa, Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, Willie Jackson and Aupito William Sio. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

The legendary Toesulu Brown MNZM. The Dawn Raids apology has been long awaited.

The legendary Toesulu Brown MNZM. The Dawn Raids apology has been long awaited. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony.

Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supported by her Maori and Pacific caucus members.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supported by her Maori and Pacific caucus members. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is greeted at Town Hall.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is greeted at Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Crowds at Auckland Town Hall.

Crowds at Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives at Town Hall Minister of Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio (R) and next to him is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Nanaia Mahuta.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives at Town Hall Minister of Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio (R) and next to him is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Nanaia Mahuta. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei

The karanga is starting at Auckland Town Hall.

The karanga is starting at Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Auckland Town Hall is filled up for the Dawn Raids Apology.

Auckland Town Hall is filled up for the Dawn Raids Apology. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

The Cook Islands community enter Town Hall.

The Cook Islands community enter Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Tala Taiamoni and her friends and family wait for 2 pm to go inside Auckland Town Hall.

Tala Taiamoni and her friends and family wait for 2 pm to go inside Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Hufanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Professor 'Okusitino Mahina and his two granddaughters.

Hufanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Professor 'Okusitino Mahina and his two granddaughters. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

One of the Cook Islands contingent with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.

One of the Cook Islands contingent with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

The chair where Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will sit to give the apology.

The chair where Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will sit to give the apology. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei

Melino Maka (L) holds picture of his aunt Teresia Tobbing who was raided in February 1976 in Onehunga.  La'auli Sir Michael Jones (R)

Melino Maka (L) holds picture of his aunt Teresia Tobbing who was raided in February 1976 in Onehunga. La'auli Sir Michael Jones (R) Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

The queue to get into the Auckland Town Hall ahead of the apology.

The queue to get into the Auckland Town Hall ahead of the apology. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei

Antonia Lilii and George Schwenke from First Union Pasifika Fono.

Antonia Lilii and George Schwenke from First Union Pasifika Fono. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei

The Nalisoni family came from Wellington.

The Nalisoni family came from Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

The Richard family say they feel sad and happy at the same time.

The Richard family say they feel sad and happy at the same time. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Siasi Tonga Tau'ataina Free Church of Tonga Choir and Brass band with Viliami Telefoni.

Siasi Tonga Tau'ataina Free Church of Tonga Choir and Brass band with Viliami Telefoni. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Women from the Cook Islands Association from Auckland at the Dawn Raids Apology at Auckland Town Hall.

Women from the Cook Islands Association from Auckland at the Dawn Raids Apology at Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

John Kiria, Cook Island Community Leader says he's here to support the Pacific community.

John Kiria, Cook Island Community Leader says he's here to support the Pacific community. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Preparations for the Dawn Raids Apology are under way.

Preparations for the Dawn Raids Apology are under way. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

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