CoveragePost
February 24, 2026
Polynesian Panther Party Legacy Trust The Polynesian Panthers met Roger Fowler in the early 1970s when Ponsonby was home to the largest urban Pacific population in Aotearoa. He helped establish the Ponsonby People’s Union for Survival and ran several much needed community focused programmes like a food co-op, tenant’s rights advice and support. He was ... <a title="Roger Fowler’s legacy – and the Polynesian Panthers connection" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/roger-fowlers-legacy-and-the-polynesian-panthers-connection/" aria-label="Read more about Roger Fowler’s legacy – and the Polynesian Panthers connection">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
October 2, 2023
By Khalia Strong of Pacific Media Network Dozens of Pacific Islanders and Palagi defied the bitterly cold wind and rain for a peaceful “remember the Dawn Raids” march along Auckland’s Ponsonby Road at the weekend. The Savali ole Filemu march recognised the anxiety which currently faces overstayers, and the pain still felt from the Dawn ... <a title="Ponsonby march highlights Dawn Raids pain and overstayer uncertainty" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/10/02/ponsonby-march-highlights-dawn-raids-pain-and-overstayer-uncertainty/" aria-label="Read more about Ponsonby march highlights Dawn Raids pain and overstayer uncertainty">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 12, 2023
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific journalist A Pacific leader in New Zealand’s South Island wants the future government to prioritise bridging the Pacific pay-gap. Reverend Alofa Lale said her church community in Dunedin struggled to afford basic needs and said people needed higher wages to survive. “There is a big Pacific pay gap that needs ... <a title="NZ election 2023: Pay parity an electoral issue among South Island Pasifika" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/12/nz-election-2023-pay-parity-an-electoral-issue-among-south-island-pasifika/" aria-label="Read more about NZ election 2023: Pay parity an electoral issue among South Island Pasifika">Read more</a>
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October 14, 2022
SPECIAL REPORT: By Tony Fala Community organisers representing multiple Aotearoa struggles gathered at the Ponsonby Community Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau last Sunday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Ponsonby People’s Union (1972-1979). Organised by former PPU activists, representatives of many Aotearoa social justice movements and struggles from around the country came ... <a title="Honouring the people’s fight against hardship, repression and racism" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/10/14/honouring-the-peoples-fight-against-hardship-repression-and-racism/" aria-label="Read more about Honouring the people’s fight against hardship, repression and racism">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 5, 2021
COMMENT: By Melani Anae When the Polynesian Panthers (PPP) activist group began calling for an apology for the Dawn Raids two years ago, we went into the process with eyes wide open. Government lobbyists seldom get everything they ask for, but our intent was honest and real and fuelled by our Panther legacy and love ... <a title="Ardern’s apology to Pacific peoples just the beginning – we will fight on" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/08/05/arderns-apology-to-pacific-peoples-just-the-beginning-we-will-fight-on/" aria-label="Read more about Ardern’s apology to Pacific peoples just the beginning – we will fight on">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 2, 2021
RNZ Pacific New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today delivered the government’s apology for the Dawn Raids against Pasifika overstayers. She apologised for the raids in the 1970s which happened under both Labour and National governments. “The government expresses its sorrow, remorse and regret that the Dawn Raids and random police checks occurred and that ... <a title="NZ government makes apology over Dawn Raids targeting Pasifika" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/08/02/nz-government-makes-apology-over-dawn-raids-targeting-pasifika/" aria-label="Read more about NZ government makes apology over Dawn Raids targeting Pasifika">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 19, 2021
Tagata Pasifika They were the face of a generation growing up in a new land. They were the Polynesian Panthers, young activists fighting against social and racial injustice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Fifty years on, they’re back to share their struggles and triumphs as we look back on their legacy. From 1971-1974, the Polynesian Panthers ... <a title="Tagata Pasifika Special: Celebrating 50 years of the Polynesian Panthers" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/06/19/tagata-pasifika-special-celebrating-50-years-of-the-polynesian-panthers/" aria-label="Read more about Tagata Pasifika Special: Celebrating 50 years of the Polynesian Panthers">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 17, 2021
The Polynesian Panther Party will hold a three-day fonotaga commemoration event this weekend at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika. Whakaako kia Whakaora – Educate to Liberate. Image: RNZ/Polynesian Panthers Dawn Raid apology The Panthers’ golden jubilee couldn’t be more forthcoming, given an announcement made this week of a formal government apology for the 1970s ... <a title="50 years of the Polynesian Panthers: ‘It was a time of revolution’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/06/17/50-years-of-the-polynesian-panthers-it-was-a-time-of-revolution/" aria-label="Read more about 50 years of the Polynesian Panthers: ‘It was a time of revolution’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 15, 2021
RNZ News A co-founder of the Polynesian Panthers says the government should allow overstayers to remain in New Zealand after it formally apologises for the Dawn Raids later this month. An emotional Minister for Pacific Peoples, ‘Aupito William Sio, also revealed today harrowing details of his own family’s subjection to the notorious police raids of ... <a title="‘Terror in our society that money can’t pay for’, Polynesian Panthers founder tells NZ" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/06/15/terror-in-our-society-that-money-cant-pay-for-polynesian-panthers-founder-tells-nz/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Terror in our society that money can’t pay for’, Polynesian Panthers founder tells NZ">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 14, 2021
RNZ News New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will make a formal government apology for the 1970s Dawn Raids against Pacific Islanders on June 26 at a commemoration event in the Auckland Town Hall. She made the announcement today alongside Pacific Peoples Minister ‘Aupito William Sio. Ardern said there was strict criteria cabinet needed to ... <a title="NZ to formally apologise for Dawn Raids against Pacific Islanders" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/06/14/nz-to-formally-apologise-for-dawn-raids-against-pacific-islanders/" aria-label="Read more about NZ to formally apologise for Dawn Raids against Pacific Islanders">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 22, 2021
By Dominic Godfrey, RNZ Pacific journalist A Pacific social justice movement is calling on the New Zealand government to formally apologise for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s. The Labour and then National governments of the time authorised police raids on Pasifika homes and work places, to check for overstayers; even churches and schools were ... <a title="Appeal for NZ government to offer apology for race-based Dawn Raids" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/03/22/appeal-for-nz-government-to-offer-apology-for-race-based-dawn-raids/" aria-label="Read more about Appeal for NZ government to offer apology for race-based Dawn Raids">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 19, 2021
A pioneering indigenous activist is being farewelled today after losing a short battle with cancer. Miriama Rauhihi Ness was a member of the Polynesian Panthers and Ngā Tamatoa movements, fighting for both Māori and Pasifika rights in New Zealand. Will ‘Ilolahia, a founding member of the Polynesian Panthers, said Rauhihi Ness was always on the ... <a title="Pioneering Polynesian Panther indigenous rights activist farewelled" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/03/19/pioneering-polynesian-panther-indigenous-rights-activist-farewelled/" aria-label="Read more about Pioneering Polynesian Panther indigenous rights activist farewelled">Read more</a>
