Level 2 History (Dawn Raids Facts)

1973 Oil Crisis

Oil prices rose dramatically, causing inflation, rising costs, and unemployment in NZ. Migrants were blamed.

UK joining the EEC (1973)

Britain turned trade toward Europe, damaging NZ exports and economy.

Economic Downturn

Job shortages led to Pacific Islanders being scapegoated as “taking jobs.”

1968 Immigration Act Amendment

Allowed deportation of overstayers; required permits/passports, targeting Pacific Islanders.

Racial Discrimination in Immigration

Pacific people were 86\% of prosecutions despite only one-third of overstayers (vs. 5\% British/US).

Political Factors

Labour government courted Pacific voters but ordered raids to win 1975 election support.

Family Separation

Raids suddenly deported people, breaking up families.

Distrust of Police

Pacific communities came to fear and mistrust the police.

Economic Hardship in the Pacific

Deportees faced unemployment and limited resources back in the islands.

International Relations Damage

NZ’s reputation with Pacific nations suffered; raids condemned overseas.

Polynesian Panthers

Activist group defending Pacific rights, educating communities, and resisting racism.

Pan-Pasifika Identity

Raids encouraged unity among Pacific peoples in NZ.

Government Apologies

Helen Clark (2002) to Samoa; Jacinda Ardern (2021) for Dawn Raids.

Special Police Squads

Task forces created to raid overstayers, often at dawn.

Home Raids

Police entered Pacific homes without warrants, creating fear.

Street Profiling

Pacific people were stopped in public and asked for papers.

Illegal Detentions

Arrests sometimes made without charges or warrants.

Legal Aid Booklet

Polynesian Panthers taught Islanders their rights when questioned.

Family Experiences

Example: Tongan family in 1976 raided at 6am; arrests followed.

Race Relations

Exposed systemic racism; created long-term mistrust.

Māori–Pacific Solidarity

Panthers and Ngā Tamatoa worked together in protests.

Legacy

Remembered as one of NZ’s most racist government actions; still shapes immigration debates.