Commemorating Dawn Raids – 50 years on
‘Ua Tafa Mai Ata, The darkness has moved away, the light is starting to come in.
Pacific voices reflect on 50 years since the Dawn Raids. Join us for a weekend of making, performance and Pacific voices to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Dawn Raids, including panel talks, making activities, and walking tours to the mural.
9 and 10 November, 11.00am–4.00pm
Rongomaraeroa, the marae, Level 4
Free with museum entry
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
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 Knightley MNZM, Tigilau Ness, Nina Nawalowalo ONZM, Mere (Toroa) 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 and unwind.
Walking tours to the mural
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.
Departing Wellington Foyer, Level 2 to Holland Street, behind the Wesley Church.
1.30pm
2.00pm
2.30pm
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
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 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 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
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 movement of the hips, legs and hands and the subtle gestures of the head and feet – relating to the natural landscape of the Pacific moana. Through the gentle, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of intense drumming.
Session times:
10.30am
11.30am
1.45pm
12.30–1.30pm: Screening of Raids, and filmaker talk
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
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.
Departing Wellington Foyer, Level 2 to Holland Street, behind the Wesley Church.
11.00am
11.30am
1.30pm
2.00pm
Walking tours will go ahead whatever the weather.
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 producer and director, and graduate of the Zealand Film School in December 2019. Jade debuted her short film No laughing in the faculty with Piki Films and co-owner of her company Red Rock Films with Partner and collaborator Christopher Hines, focusing on bringing dignity to the Pasifika voice in film.
Jade produced and directed her second short film Raids in April 2021, a drama about the treatment of Pasifika people during the Dawn Raids of the 70’s in Aotearoa. Raids went on to be an official selection at multiple festivals locally and internationally including the Melbourne Women in Film Festival, Wairoa Film Festival, Maoriland Film Festival, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, and the New Zealand International Film Festival in 2022.
Jade is currently in pre-production this year of her first ever feature film Raids that has been funded by the New Zealand Film Commission.
These events are presented by Te Papa in partnership with Wellington City Council, Pātaka Art + Gallery, Toi Poneke, and Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Jose and Rita McCarthy and their children - Photographed by Brett Richardson. Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP/1980/0637/9A-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23030518
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