The remaining members of the Polynesian Panthers -Tigilau Ness, Dr Melani Anae and Rev Alec Tolefoa came to One Tree Hill Collage to share their experiences of what it was like during the 70s when the Pasifika community went through blank racism and hardships. The college’s Year 13 Sociology and Year 11 History students were eager to finally meet the people who had made a difference to not only New Zealand history but Pasifika History as well. The students loved listening to the stories that they told, and found the whole experience inspirational, taking everything, every story, every bit of advice to heart. Two students who were present at the Polynesian Panthers talk, Isabelle Palu and Manu Tangitamaiti said that listening to the Polynesian Panthers as the younger generation, was inspirational for them. As well as this it took many of the students out of their comfort zones, having to ask questions about the Dawn Raids and the personal experiences of a member of the Polynesian Panthers.

Sociology teacher Ms Pullein said that they wanted the Year 13 students to get ideas from the past, and present actions of the Polynesian Panthers, on how they can make changes in society. She also mentioned how most if not all the Year 13 students were coming to the age of legal voting and it was good for them to be challenged to think deeply about how they could make a difference to society. Our visitors were very pleased with how well the students took note of everything that they said as well as their genuine reactions to their stories and advice.  They also said, “We wanted the students to learn from us and understand that if you set your mind to it, you can make effective changes and you can achieve what you set out to do.”

EUROPA HAUITI - NEWS MEDIA TEAM