Pasifika leaders are calling on the New Zealand government to put an end to the use of dawn raids by Immigration New Zealand, stating that it risks undermining the landmark Dawn Raid apology issued in 2021. The apology was given for the racially targeted immigration raids conducted on Pacific Islanders in the 1970s, but recent events have brought the issue back into the spotlight.
Just a fortnight ago, an Auckland community lawyer reported that his clients had been targeted by an early morning raid. The incident involved the removal of a construction worker from his home at 5am by immigration officials and police, in front of his four young children. The family was left in turmoil and the children were said to have been distraught at the loss of their father, who was the sole breadwinner of the family.
The family’s lawyer expressed shock at the incident, stating that the apology for discriminatory immigration raids targeting Pasifika had meant so much to so many, and that some were now questioning its genuineness. He was present when the apology was issued two years ago and remembers the impact that the raids had on Pasifika communities.
The use of dawn raids has long been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that they are a violation of human rights and disproportionately affect Pasifika and Māori communities. The recent incident has reignited calls for an end to the practice and raised concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing past injustices.
In light of these events, Pasifika leaders are urging the government to take immediate action to address the issue and prevent further harm to members of the community. They argue that continuing to use dawn raids undermines the government’s efforts to right past wrongs and risks perpetuating the systemic racism that led to the original raids. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to these calls and what steps will be taken to address the issue.