Dawn Raids: Voices From 1970s Aotearoa

Dawn Raids: Voices From 1970s Aotearoa

Understanding New Zealand's Immigration History Year 9 Social Sciences 60 minutes

Setting the Scene: New Zealand in the 1970s

Economic boom following WWII brought labour shortages Pacific Island workers invited to fill jobs in factories and construction Overstayer permits allowed temporary work visas By mid-1970s, economic downturn changed public attitudes

Think About This...

If you moved to another country for work because you were invited, how would you feel if you were later treated as unwelcome?

What Were the Dawn Raids?

Police and immigration raids on Pacific Island families' homes Occurred early morning (hence 'dawn raids') Targeted suspected 'overstayers' - people who had stayed beyond their permits Began in 1974, peaked in 1976 Mostly affected Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian families

Timeline Activity

Work in pairs to arrange these key events in chronological order: Economic boom attracts Pacific workers Muldoon becomes PM Random dawn raids begin Hone Tuwhare writes protest poem Raids reach their peak Public protests grow Raids officially end

Dawn Raids Timeline 1970-1979

Voices From the Community

```json { "title": "Voices From the Community", "content": "" } ```

Different Perspectives on the Dawn Raids

{"left":"Government/Police View: Enforcing immigration law was necessary\nOverstaying was illegal and needed to be stopped\nEconomic downturn required job protection for citizens\nRaids were conducted professionally and legally","right":"Pacific Island Community View: Raids were racist and discriminatory\nMany targeted families had valid permits\nEuropean overstayers were largely ignored\nRaids traumatized children and families"}

Role-Play: Understanding Different Experiences

Groups of 3-4 students Each group receives a character card: Pacific Island family experiencing a raid Government immigration official Local community supporter Prepare a 2-minute scene showing your character's perspective Focus on emotions and motivations, not just facts

Impact and Legacy of the Dawn Raids

Damaged trust between Pacific communities and government Led to stronger Pacific advocacy and political representation Contributed to multicultural policies in the 1980s 2021: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued formal government apology Ongoing discussions about racism and belonging in New Zealand

Primary Research Methods for Historical Investigation

They came at dawn when our children were still sleeping. We had done nothing wrong - we were here working, contributing to this country. But suddenly we were treated like criminals. - Pacific Island community member