AUCKLAND: Maori Television will feature the story of the radical political movement Polynesian Panthers on its Pakipumeka Aotearoa (NZ Documentary) progamme this weekend.
Journalist Nevak ‘Ilolahia’s uncle, Will ‘Ilolahia, was one of the founding members of the Polynesian Panthers.
From the Dawn Raids to the political protests over Bastion Point land rights and the all-white Springbok rugby tour, Nevak researches her own family history as she explores the genesis and legacy of the movement that set out, nearly 40 years ago, to liberate Maori and Pacific Islanders in New Zealand.
n the 1950s, New Zealand needed workers and Pacific Islanders arrived in their thousands. But as the colour of the population changed in inner-city Auckland, so did people’s attitudes.
“You had to get used to people calling you a ‘coconut’ or yelling ‘bunga’ and ‘nigger’ at you as you walked down the street,” Nevak ‘Ilolahia says.
By the late 1960s, revolution was in the air. Pacific Islanders and Maori were attending university in larger numbers.
Jimi Hendrix hit the scene, people started growing affros and knowledge of the Black Panther movement in the United States reached the streets of Ponsonby.
“Initially it was the literature of the Black Panther Party in America that we got attracted to – the work they were doing in America, and when we read the books deeper we found out that the problems they were complaining about were the exact problems that we were seeing in New Zealand, so we decided to do something constructive and formed the Polynesian Panther Party.”
Will ‘Ilolahia was one of the founding members of the Polynesian Panthers - one of a dozen branches of the Black Panthers, set up to fight for minority rights around the world.
With an average age of just 20, the Polynesian Panthers transformed themselves from a group of ex-street gang members and students to a fully fledged political movement. - Maori Television/Pacific Media Watch
Polynesian Panthers will be screened on Maori Television at 8.30pm on Saturday, September 4.
Polynesian Panthers on Pacific Media Centre
Polynesian Panthers Part 1
Polynesian Panthers Part 2
Polynesian Panthers Part 3
Pacific Media Watch
