POLYNESIAN PANTHERS - He Pakipūmeka tēnei i whai whakapapa ai a Nevak ‘Ilolahia’s he iramutu o Will ‘Ilolahia, ko ia tētehi o ngā tāngata i whakatū te rōpū nei.
Mai i te wā ka whakararu mai ana ngā pirihimana o Aotearoa ki nga hāpori Pasifika, arā, ngā Dawn Raids, tae noa ki te noho whenua ki Takaparawha me te tū kaha ki te porotehe ki te Springbok Tour, ka whai a Nevak i ana whanaunga kōrero hei hāpai ake i ngā Māori rātou katoa ko ngā tuakana nō te Moana nui a Kiwa.
In 2010 this documentary film, made by Nevak 'Ilolahia (daughter of Polynesian Panthers’ founding member Will 'Ilolahia), was released telling the story of the Polynesian Panthers. It was shown on Māori Television's New Zealand documentary slot.
Nevak Ilolahia (Rongowhakaata, Tonga) traces her family's involvement in the Polynesian Panthers movement. Formed as a response to the oppression of Polynesian people, the Panthers would become one of the most influential and polarizing political groups in New Zealand.
“Within months of her birth, Nevak 'Ilolahia’s uncle, Will 'Ilolahia, helped launch the Polynesian Panthers – an organisation set up in response to the oppression of Polynesian people. And much like the Black Panthers – the militant, left-wing tuakana organisation in the States – the Polynesian Panthers would become one of the most influential and polarizing political groups in New Zealand.
They attracted condemnation from some as a radical militant threat to social order and support from others including future Prime Minister David Lange.
From the Dawn Raids to Bastion Point and the Springok Tour, this documentary tells their story.” - from http://paradiseishell.wordpress.com/
“The Polynesian Panthers were a group of passionate and motivated Pacific Islanders and Maori who forty years ago set out to improve the lives of their communities. Journalist Nevak 'Ilolahia s uncle, Will 'Ilolahia , was one of the founding members. From the Dawn Raids to Bastion Point and the Springbok tour, Nevak researches her own family history as she explores the genesis and legacy of the movement ...
“In the 1950s, New Zealand needed workers and Pacific Islanders arrived in their thousands. But as the colour of the population changed in inner-city Auckland, so did people’s attitudes.
“ “You had to get used to people [yelling racial abuse at you] as you walked down the street.” [recalled Will 'Ilolahia ]
“By the late 60s, revolution was in the air. Pacific Islanders and Maori were attending university in larger numbers. Jimi Hendrix hit the scene, people started growing affros and knowledge of the Black Panther movement in the States reached the streets of Ponsonby.
“ “Initially it was the literature of the Black Panther Party in America that we got attracted to – the work they were doing in America, and when we read the books deeper we found out that the problems they were complaining about were the exact problems that were seeing in New Zealand, so we decided to do something constructive and formed the Polynesian Panther Party.” [Will 'Ilolahia ] ...
“With an average age of just twenty, the Polynesian Panthers transformed themselves from a group of ex street-gang members and students to a fully fledged political movement. They lobbied government, fought for human rights and helped their community with everything from housing, food packages and education to prison visits and legal aid... ”
“In this documentary Nevak ... meets several members of the Polynesian Panthers, scours archival material and travels to California, birthplace of the Black Panther Party”. - Promotional material; via www.academybooks.co.nz/product/isbn/8545478999777/; retrieved 17/05/2016