Pauline Smith

The writer behind the explosive book, Dawn Raid, which explores the place of Polynesian Panthers in the history of Aotearoa.

Can you introduce yourself?

I am Pauline Smith – a proud mum of two grown daughters, G-ma of 5 beautiful grandchildren, and wife of one great guy. I am of Samoan, Tuvaluan, Scottish and Irish ancestry. My work includes being an author, educationalist and General Manager of the Mīharo Murihiku Trust based in Invercargill. A lot of my work over the past few years has been with the Polynesian Panthers doing presentations across the country that highlight the dawn raid history and their role in putting a stop to these.

What role does creativity play in your life?

Creativity is so important to me. As an author I have seen the benefits of being able to tell our stories, (by this I mean stories of the people of Aotearoa) to offer opportunities for education and understanding.

Personally I love creating be it writing, knitting or designing and delivering events. These are all creative outlets for me.

How do you express yourself?

Words are my main form of expression (I do like talking too). I enjoy writing creatively but I also enjoy using words in emails, for letters of support, applications and any other business. I like to paint pictures with my words and I think this can be done equally in the creative and business worlds depending on the purpose.

Your first book, Dawn Raid, speaks about how the Polynesian Panthers

party was actively addressing injustice. What inspired you to write about it?

I was teaching Pacific Studies with Teachers College students, which included the Dawn Raids and Polynesian Panthers history. It struck me that most students had no knowledge about this part of NZ history. I shouldn’t have been surprised though as I didn’t learn about it myself until I was an adult at teachers college. I decided I needed to do something about this. I thought if I write a book for young people then they will learn about it from a young age.

I thought this story would fit well with Scholastic’s My New Zealand Story series as I liked how they used the diary format with a young person writing about their life but also about a famous part of NZ history.

There are 28 books in the series with a range of NZ history covered. Dawn Raid is the first one that focuses on Pasifika history.

Can you tell us about this book and the main character?

Dawn Raid is written through the eyes of Sofia who has just turned 13 and received a diary for her birthday from her dad. We follow Sofia as she navigates her understanding of civil rights, injustice, racism, fighting for rights and finding her own voice.

Sofia has Samoan and Palagi heritage. We glimpse her warm family life through her entries and her experience with a Dawn Raid and meeting the Polynesian Panthers. The content might not sound kid-friendly but the warm family story and the antics of Sofia’s bratty younger brothers bring lightness and humour.

Dawn Raid is aimed at readers 12-15 years, but it suits people of all ages who have an interest in NZ history.

Do you know how this book influenced the young generation of readers?

Dawn Raid has had a huge impact on readers. I have received loads of messages from teachers who have told me how the book has helped their students gain educational credits because they can relate to the content and it supports their

understanding of these events.

That’s pretty cool!

What is your memory of this time in history? How did Dawn Raids affected you or your family?

We lived in Invercargill around this time. We weren’t Dawn Raided in the harsh way this was done – with police breaking into people’s homes in the early hours of the morning. We did however have the immigration people come to our door at dinner time one night. One at the front door and one at the back. They wanted to see my father’s papers. I guess with a surname like Vaeluaga you tend to stand out a bit in the far South.

I don’t personally remember this as I must have been enjoying a lovely dinner but my Mum recalled it when I was publishing Dawn Raid.

Why do you think that events like the Dawn Raids aren’t remembered by a lot of New Zealand society. Why do you think this is still overlooked?

I believe from my experience mentioned earlier as a lecturer that the education system has failed to recognise this history. I know currently there is a redesigning of the curriculum and hopefully this will be addressed. We know from speaking to people affected by the Dawn Raids that the shame, pain and trauma is still there too and it makes it hard for some people to talk about.

What did you hope to achieve with the The Dawn Raids – Educate to Liberate exhibition? Can you tell us about the process of developing this exhibition?

I hoped to bring the history of the Polynesian Panthers forward so people could learn about the brave stand they made against injustice and what they did to support people. I wanted the Panthers to be celebrated and acknowledged for their massive contribution, sacrifice and work. To develop the exhibition, I spent a lot of time researching and talking with the Panthers. I also spent time with John Miller – another amazing person who has spent a lifetime gathering photographic records of so many important socially and culturally historic moments in Aotearoa history.

When Dawn Raid the book was due for release I thought it was good to have a resource for kids but I wanted to engage adults as well. I approached, Ari Edgecombe, the visual arts curator at Southland Museum and Art Gallery, and floated the idea of creating a 1970’s Pacific-Palagi family lounge room as a base for an exhibition about the Dawn Raids and Polynesian Panthers. Ari got it and we were off.

What is your connection to Polynesian Panthers?

When the book and exhibition both launched in 2018 the Polynesian Panthers as well as Emory Douglas – a Black Panther (from America) – came to see it. It was a highlight to have worked so closely with them and a real privilege when I was offered honorary Panther membership.

I am smiling as I write and think about this honour. Since then we have travelled to 8 locations throughout Aotearoa with the exhibition, presenting to hundreds of people of all ages.

Aotearoa NZ prides itself on being an egalitarian society but racism is still very present here. What do we have to do to change it?

On the surface we do seem egalitarian but health, education and housing statistics tell us a different story.

What do we need to do about racism? We need to recognise it, own that it is a real thing. Talk about it. Educate about it. I loved what Taika Waititi did with his “Give nothing to Racism” video. I thought it was a brilliant way to acknowledge it as a real thing and to engage thinking.

It can be hard to know what to do or how to stand against racism sometimes so we need to give people tools to deal with it.

Other than your areas of expertise, what is your favourite topic to write about?

I have only written one book and I really like the power it has had to educate. I will probably continue down this pathway with other important untold NZ stories. The other thing I need to write more is love notes to my grandkids.

What are you currently working on?

I am researching another New Zealand Story about the 1975 Hikoi Land March. I would love to write this story for young people so will be talking with as many people as possible who were involved.

What would be your advice to people on their journey to claim their cultural heritage outside the country of their origins?

During the Panthers tour around Aotearoa there have been many people of all ages asking this exact question. They framed it as not feeling strong enough in their cultural identity to identify themselves in this way. Some talked about feeling like they are considered “plastic” versions of their culture or if they had dual cultures not being able to identify strongly with either. The kōrero from the Panthers and members of the public present was about how identities evolve and that each generation forges a new identity that leans on the past, present and possible future. Perhaps also look for kind people who will support your journey.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

People shouldn’t kill other people.