Dawn raids part of Pacific focus
$13.7m to help with account of anti-immigrant action in 1970s
The Pacific’s $196 million package in this year’s Budget includes a big chunk to help deliver a proper historical account of the infamous dawn raids of the 1970s.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio has revealed several big wins for Pasifika communities that focus on improving health, housing, incomes and education.
One of the standouts is $13.7m to implement the Government’s commitment to deliver a historical account on the mid-70s immigration raids.
Police then were known for conducting raids on the homes of Pacific families believed to be overstayers. They were usually in the early hours, hence the label dawn raids.
Many Pasifika people in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland, were affected. Aupito called it a “traumatising” experience for his aiga.
Last year, the Government made a formal apology. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was draped with a fine mat to carry out the act of ifoga, the traditional Samoan apology.
“The Government is committed to delivering on its dawn raids apology package in this Budget as well,” Aupito said. “The package will give greater public understanding of what dawn raids means to our nation and to enable the Teu le Va — to help restore harmonious relationship of mana and dignity and empower our young people especially to be resilient, confident and vibrant.”
The money will go towards the Teu le Va Community Fund for community-led multimedia history projects that help capture a historical account of what happened.
The fund is part of a reconciliation process and people will be able to share stories of their experiences of the time.
The aim is to generate, preserve, raise awareness and pass on knowledge of this time in New Zealand’s history.
The money will also be used for initiatives to produce a historical account report — led by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples — and create a fund for Pasifika artists and historians to complete professional projects and an online Pacific histories platform.
“Pacific peoples signalled that they are seeking meaningful commitment to the dawn raids apology; which allows us as a nation to move forward together with alofa [love] and fa’aaloalo [respect].”
South Auckland councillor and Auckland mayoral candidate Fa’anana Efeso Collins praised Aupito’s work to help Pasifika in this year’s Budget.
Collins said it was imperative that we get an account of the dawn raids right as it was a relevant part of history not just for young Pacific children, but all growing up in NZ.
“It’s a part of our history and when the curriculum is relevant to them, then they’re able to grasp it well — because it’s about them.”
As well as that, a package to build up to 300 homes over the next decade for Pacific families in Eastern Porirua has been announced — with initial funding of $49m in that period.
Collins said he was “absolutely supportive” of the move; saying it showed this Budget was helping Pasifika families around the country and not just those in Auckland.
“I think that’s a fantastic development. Those are our families too,” Collins said.
A further $49.9m will go to the Pacific Provider Development Fund in a bid to support Pasifika providers adapting their models of care into the new health system.
Meanwhile, $20m goes to implementing a diabetes prevention and treatment programme that will target Pacific peoples in South Auckland.
Aupito said this Budget continues the work done through the Pacific Wellbeing Strategy, which aims to lift Pasifika wellbeing and aspirations in health, housing, education, business, employment, incomes, leadership, Pacific arts, sports and music.
There is also an emphasis on boosting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths) career pathways among young Pasifika.
Aupito acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic had changed certain dynamics within families and society. So prioritising the lifting of Pacific incomes, skills and opportunities; as well as having access to safe, affordable and stable housing, were important.
“Working closely with our Pacific communities to deliver and support Pacific-led responses will be critical to supporting their resilience, recovery and an accelerated upwards mobility,” he said.
“Budget 2022 will also help accelerate Pacific Aotearoa’s economic and social recovery from Covid-19 so that Pacific peoples aren’t left behind.
“[This] will help us to forge ahead creating jobs and income streams for families.”