Polynesian Panthers

In the 1950s thousands of Pacific Islanders came to Aotearoa to meet a labour shortage. They faced racism, and in the 1970s, notorious dawn raids by police. In 1971 a group of young gang members and students set up the Polynesian Panthers Party to stand up for the rights of the Pasifika community. They ran food co-ops, homework centres, and lobbied for support services. In this Dan Salmon-directed documentary, presenter Nevak Rogers explores the inspirations, events (Bastion Point, the Springbok Tour) and legacy of the movement co-founded by her uncle Will 'llolahia.

Part of me really feels for my uncle. Much like Tigi [Ness] and a number of the other members, they made some huge sacrifices, not just in terms of wealth but in terms of relationships, the way that they were viewed by other members of their family, other people within the community. The privileges that I enjoy today and that my son enjoys today are a direct result of the stand that people like my uncle took, and I just feel that there are so many people that don’t even know what the Polynesian Panthers are...

– Presenter Nevak Rogers

Key Cast & Crew

Nevak Rogers

Presenter, Co-Producer

Dan Salmon

Director, Writer

Kay Ellmers

Producer

Ben Freedman

Additional Photography

Tipene Rogers

Sound Recordist

Phil Woollams

Sound Mix