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Polynesian Panthers

Television (Full Length) – 2010

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.

We were just exuberant voices yelling out in the dark.
– Tigilau Ness

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Nevak Rogers

Nevak Rogers

Presenter, Co-Producer

Profile image for Dan Salmon

Dan Salmon

Director, Writer

Profile image for Kay Ellmers

Kay Ellmers

Producer

Generic Profile image for Ben Freedman

Ben Freedman

Additional Photography

Generic Profile image for Tipene Rogers

Tipene Rogers

Sound Recordist

Generic Profile image for Phil Woollams

Phil Woollams

Sound Mix

See all 13 credits

Acknowledgements

Bill Birch and Robert Muldoon photo: The Evening Post Collection, EP/1980/3341-F, courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library 

Dawn Raid poster by Herbert Otto Roth, courtesy of Auckland Committee on Racism and Discrimination (ACCORD) & Alexander Turnbull Library (94-106-19/07-02)
Documentary made with funding from NZ On Air

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