Remembering Dawn Raids – 50 years on

During 2024, a series of talanoa took place with the local Pacific community, to discuss and reflect upon their experiences of the Dawn Raids.  

These discussions have informed the design of a new street mural by artist Liana Leiataua. Commissioned by Te Papa, the mural will be hand painted on a wall of the Wesley Methodist Church grounds on Holland Street, Wellington.

Saturday

11.00am–1.00pm: Panel talk – The Impact and Legacy of the Dawn Raids

Rongomaraeroa, the marae, Level 4

Reflecting on a dark time in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, the panel will discuss 50 years since the Dawn Raids and how this has shaped the design of the mural.

Panellists: Oscar Kightley MNZM, Tigilau Ness, Nina Nawalowalo ONZM, Mere Montgomery and Liana Leiataua.

More information and booking link for this panel talk

2.15pm: Choir performance

Rongomaraeroa, the marae, Level 4

An afternoon performance weaving in the rich melodies and harmonies of the Pacific community, resonating with the spirit of unity – a time to reflect, unwind, and recharge.

The Rāwhiti Choir comprises Wellington East Girls’ College Students from Years 9-13, is directed by Penelope Isaac, and the students enjoy singing repertoire from a variety of genres including cultural, art song, gospel, musical theatre, and popular music. 
The choir participates regularly in the Regional Big Sing here in Wellington and has been selected to go to the Big Sing Finale three times in the past five years. This year they have been busy with events such as: performing in The Armed Man with the Orpheus Choir, Wellington Brass Band and Hiwa Performance Collective, singing at the ANZAC Wreath Laying Service, and performing in the Aotearoa section of World of Wearable Arts.

Walking tours to the mural

Departing Wellington Foyer, Level 2 to Holland Street, behind the Wesley Church

• 1.30pm

• 2.00pm

• 2.30pm

Join us for a guided tour to the mural artwork Ua Tafa Mai Ata: the darkness is moving away; the light is starting to come in created by artist Liana Lieataua. Walking tours will go ahead whatever the weather.

Sunday

10.00am–3.00pm: Tia lili weaving workshop and Hei Fisi (Niue Taoga) floral hair clip making

Tangata o le Moana Exhibition, Level 4 (directions in front of the Cook Islands Vaka)

Both the Tia Lili and the Hei Fisi workshops are led by Niutupu Pulapulaola Collective – a group of creative women from the island of Niue, who are passionate and inspired by their traditional cultures and heritage from their homeland.

Tia Lili making

Tia lili means weaving placemats or wall displays, an authentic and traditional craft and making technique from the islands of Niue. The workshops will focus on coasters and earrings, so participants get the chance to complete their Tia Iili by the end of the making session.

Hei Fisi making

Hei Fisi are traditional floral hair clips worn by women or girls as part of their hair attire and accessories. In traditional practice the fisi (flowers) and materials are made from natural plant fibres, but here in Aotearoa they are often replaced with contemporary materials.

Ura Kūki Āirani Dance workshop sessions 

Rongomaraeroa, Level 4, dance session times:

• 10.30am

• 11.30am

• 1.45pm

Join us for a dance session with the Inano Dance Company and learn the elegant style of URA, a popular and traditional Kūki Āirani dance that is usually performed by a female who moves her body to tell a story – through the gentle movements of the hips, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of intense drumming – be transported to another space and time within the warmth and heartbeat of the Pacific.

12.30–1.30pm: Screening of Raids, and filmmaker talk

Rongomaraeroa, Level 4

Watch Raids, a drama about the mistreatment of Pasifika people during the Dawn Raids of the 70s and listen to a conversation with the director and producer, Jade Jackson.

Walking Tours to the mural

Departing Wellington Foyer, Level 2 to Holland Street, behind the Wesley Church

• 11.00am

• 11.30am

• 1.30pm

• 2.00pm

Join us for a guided tour to the mural artwork Ua Tafa Mai Ata: the darkness is moving away; the light is starting to come in created by artist Liana Lieataua. Walking tours will go ahead whatever the weather.

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Biographies

Inano Dance Company

Inano Dance is Wellingtons first Cook Islands dance company and Ura Kūki Āirani classes.

Their mission to perpetuate their heritage arts and peu maori through dance, music and creative expressions. Constantly pushing the boundaries and creating expression that speaks to people, Inano dance is committed to improving healthy lifestyle changes, staying connected and grounded to their kaupapa.

Jade Jackson

Jade Jackson is a Sāmoan-New Zealand Film Director and Producer. 

After graduating from The New Zealand Film School in 2019, Jade began as a script supervisor on Jessica ‘Coco Solid’ Hansel’s short film No Laughing in the Faculty with Piki Films, which shaped her approach to filmmaking, emphasising culture and connection on set. 

Jade produced & directed her debut short film Raids in 2021, a drama on the 1970s Dawn Raids in Aotearoa, which was featured at several festivals, including NZIFF, Melbourne Women in Film Festival and Māoriland Film Festival. In 2022, she was awarded script development funding and became a Sundance Indigenous Film Fellow for her feature script Losa. Jade also won the Ngā Kōrero Tutu Iho Oral History Award to record the story of Sāmoan national Falema’i Lesā, archived in Pataka Art Museum in Porirua. 

She is currently in early development for feature films Losa and Teine Mau which have both received early development funding by the New Zealand Film Commission. 

Wesley Methodist Church Centenary, Taranaki Street, 1980 Reference: EP-1980-0934 Alexander Turnbull Library. Courtesy of Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage

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