In 2021, around two thousand people gathered at Auckland Town Hall precinct to witness a historic apology from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, on behalf of the New Zealand government, for the inhumane and discriminatory implementation of immigration laws in the 1970s that led to the events infamously known as the Dawn Raids. During this dark chapter in New Zealand history, police and immigration officials, often accompanied by dogs, conducted a series of raids on the homes of Pacific families suspected of overstaying their visas and work permits. Residents were woken, removed from their beds, and brutally forced into vans to be taken into police custody for questioning and possible deportation.
In this episode of “Moments in Time”, Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava talks to soundscape artist Anonymouz (aka Faiumu Matthew Salapu), who was commissioned by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to recreate, through sound, the Ifoga (forgiveness) process that was used as the framework for the Dawn Raids Apology event. Alpha also speaks with researcher and fangufangu (Tongan nose flute) performer Hūfanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Dr. ‘Okusitino Mahina about the effect that the Dawn Raids had on the Pacific community in the 1970s.
Interwoven with sound recorded live at the event, Anonymouz describes how he utilised personally meaningful sound recordings to convey the chronological events of an early morning dawn raid, crafting a soundscape that aimed to bring a sonic snapshot of time, place, and intent to the Auckland Town Hall and encourage healing through the conduit of sound.
Host: Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava
Guests: Anonymouz (aka Faiumu Matthew Salapu) & Hūfanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina
Soundscape excerpts:
“In Tension” by Anonymouz (aka Faiumu Matthew Salapu)
“Raiding the Dawn” by Anonymouz (aka Faiumu Matthew Salapu)
Links & Resources
Link to video of Dawn Raids Apology Event held on 1 August 2021
(Ifoga ceremony commences around 12 minutes into video)
This episode was brought to you by SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music.
Production team
- Executive Producer: Diana Marsh
- Producer: Roger Smith
- Sound Engineer: Phil Brownlee
- Production Assistant: Nina Lesperance
Special thanks to RNZ for providing audio of the Prime Minister’s apology.
This podcast is supported by funding from The Stout Trust.
