Let the healing begin - 4th August 2021

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern went through a traditional Samoan ceremony asking for forgiveness, before apologising to the Pacific community for their treatment at the hands of the New Zealand government back in the 1970s.

Police crackdowns and what became known as the "dawn raids" were carried out by officers and immigration officials, often accompanied by dogs. Their intention was to arrest and deport anyone who'd overstayed their work visa.

Jacinda Ardern: "Today, I stand on behalf of the New Zealand government to offer a formal and unreserved apology to Pacific communities for the discriminatory implementation of the immigration laws of the 1970s that led to the events of the Dawn Raids."

On the heels of the Second World War, New Zealand had welcomed Pacific peoples, Europeans and Americans to fill the labour shortage and economic expansion.

However, following the economic slump in the 70s, there were accusations that New Zealanders were unemployed due to the heavy migration.

Consequently, more stringent migration measures were implemented which disproportionately targeted the Pacific demographic of Samoan, Tongan and Fijian origins. Though one third of those overstaying their visas, Pacific peoples were 86 percent of those prosecuted.

Jacinda Ardern: "Our government conveys to the future generations of Aotearoa that the past actions of the Crown were wrong, and that the treatment of your ancestors was wrong. We convey to you our deepest and sincerest apology."

Ardern has committed her government to eliminating racism in Aotearoa and hopes that this gesture will bring much needed closure and healing for the nation's Pacific peoples.