Dawn Raid

by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith

  FRIDAY, 16 July

  * * *

  I almost died of embarrassment today! There was our usual crew—me, Tania, Colin, Walter, and Jonathan—practising our rakau routine. We were trying something new where we all worked as one team, passing the rakau to the person beside us. Anyway, Walter got a rakau in the head and we all started to laugh really hard and then … I blew off! Everyone laughed even harder and so did I, but that made me let off again! I went bright red and hid my face in hands.

  Colin said, “Don’t worry, Sofia, that’s nothing—listen to this,” and he leaned over and did a huge fart. That started a chain reaction and Walter farted too. We all fell about laughing until my stomach ached. I have brothers so I know boys can blow off on demand, but I never thought they’d do it at school! School has been fun this week.

  SUNDAY, 18 July

  * * *

  Today was AMAZING. Lenny took me and Lily with him to a meeting at Rawiri’s house, and I got to meet Rawiri’s friend Tigi and his baby, Che (pronounced “Shay”). There were some other people from Wellington there as well as Tigi’ s lot.

  When Tigi and the others arrived, Charlotte shrieked, and that’s when I realised that her mum and sister were with them. There were lots of hugs and kisses and some tears as well. Charlotte was so pleased to see her mum, she didn’t seem to care about us seeing her cry. Her mum even gave me a kiss on the cheek and a hug. It was a tight hug and I could feel that she really meant it, it was nice.

  While everyone was having a cup of tea, I got to hold baby Che and he fell asleep on my knee. Cute! Then Tigi started telling us about the dawn raids. Apparently, the raids started in 1974 and they were called “Operation Pot Black.” It was exactly like what Rawiri had told us—the police were breaking into Pacific Islanders’ houses in the middle of the night or the early hours of the morning, which is why they’re called “dawn raids.” Mr. Muldoon’s government have stepped up the dawn raids again because the economy is in bad shape and Islanders are getting the blame. They’re being harassed on the streets and in the pubs and billiard halls, just because their skin is brown.

  Tigi reckons it doesn’t matter if you’re Samoan or Niuean (like him), Tongan or Māori, the police will ask you to produce your passport or identification papers.

  “Bloody thugs,” one of the older guys said.

  Tigi said some police officers don’t want to do it but the government is making them blitz the Islanders. Lenny wondered how the Māoris feel, being treated like this in their own country. Tigi said they’re angry too. It’s a fascist government, he says. (I have no idea what that means but it doesn’t sound good.)

  One of the guys there told us that he and his friend were at the pub playing darts and the police came in and asked for their papers. He said one of the cops had a South African accent so his friend said to the cop, “How about you show us your papers first? I’m Māori and I was born here.” And he carried on, speaking in Māori. The cop got angry and told him to speak properly. He said, “I am. It’s not my fault you’re too ignorant to understand the language of the country you’re living in.” They both got arrested.

  Charlotte surprised me when she said, “Sofia—you know who he’s talking about, don’t you?” I had no idea. “Uncle Piripi—I mean, Mr. Parker.”

  Man, I was so shocked! Poor Mr. Parker, he’s such a nice man. He shouldn’t be treated like that. No one should. Tigi says we’re all part of the revolution and we need to stand up and fight back. Ummmmm, I’ m not sure Dad would agree with that!

  Tigi has a huge Afro. I expected him to be a scary gang member but it turns out the Polynesian Panthers aren’t like that. Tigi told us some of the things they do, like starting homework clubs to help kids, helping old people with their gardens, and teaching people about their rights, especially if they get bullied by the police. Sometimes they hold demonstrations to protest against stuff. He also told us about the Black Panthers in America and how the Polynesian Panthers have been inspired by them. Tigi said the Panthers focus on people’s rights and helping them to have a fair and better life. He said the panther is an important symbol for their group because a panther only attacks if it’s attacked first. Fair enough.

  Here’s a picture I cut out from one of the Polynesian Panthers’ pamphlets.

  After the meeting, me and Charlotte went outside. We found some fizzy drink bottles stacked up at the side of the house and Charlotte asked her aunt if we could go cash some in. Her aunt said we could have a few each so off we went to the store. We got 4 Goofy bubblegums for each bottle. On the way home we opened a few and read the jokes. They were a bit dumb but the bubblegum was good.

  “What about those dawn raids?” I said to Charlotte. “How mean is that?”

  She said it’s good that people like Tigi are helping Islanders stand up for themselves. Lots of them have spent days in jail cells because they couldn’t show their paperwork.

  That reminds me, I still need to ask Dad if he has his paperwork sorted. Charlotte knows a lot about what’s going on with Māori and Island people. Her whole family does. Maybe Dad would like to meet them?

  Once we got back from the shop, we had to go home coz Lenny had to do his milk run. I told Lenny I really wanted a milk run and that I would work hard. He said he’d ask his boss but he was pretty sure he would say no, coz I’m too young.

  We all watched the Sunday night Disney movie called Now You See Him, Now You Don’t. It was funny, I really liked it—about a teenager who invents an invisibility serum. Man, I’ d love to have some of that!

  I love the song at the start of all the Disney movies, which goes: “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are …”

  Today was a good day. Lots of fun things happened.

  WEDNESDAY, 21 July

  * * *

  Mr. Parker came to class again today. He taught us a new song and then we did the ones we already know. Everyone is into rakau now. Kids are making their own out of magazines and bringing them to school. Mr. Parker is very pleased that we all like rakau so much and he thinks we’re the best class in school at using them. Me and Tania did the whole song without dropping the rakau once.

  Just before he left, I heard Mr. Parker ask Charlotte when Tigi and the others were heading home. I forgot that they all know each other. She told him they’re leaving on Saturday. I guess her mum will be going with them—poor Charlotte.

  An amazing thing happened today though! Dad went to the pub with his mates after work (no, that’s not the amazing thing). He was having a beer and a game of pool and they got talking to some guys his friend knew called Piripi and Tigi! Dad found out that Piripi (Mr. Parker) has been teaching us rakau at school, and Mr. Parker found out that Dad was the one who made the wooden rakau that he liked. They also realised that Tigi was staying with Rawiri and his family so that was all pretty cool.

  How about that? Dad met Tigi and Mr. Parker on his own. I don’t think he knows Tigi is a Polynesian Panther though.

  THURSDAY, 22 July

  * * *

  Oh, no. Things are not good. Lenny, Lily, and me got in massive trouble with Mum and Dad for going to Rawiri’s house for the meeting with Tigi. It turned out one of Dad’s friends was at the meeting, and he told Dad it was good to see us there and asked if Dad would be coming to the next one. When Dad’s friend told him what the meeting was about, Dad was NOT happy. He said he wanted to talk to the 3 of us when Lenny got home from his milk run.

  It was awful. Dad said how disappointed he was in all of us for going to the meeting and not telling him and Mum about it. Oh my gosh, it was only a meeting! Dad and Mum would have a mental if they knew Lenny had been in the hīkoi.

  We tried to tell Dad about why the meeting was important but he just said we’re asking for trouble if we hang out with troublemakers. We tried to tell them how the Polynesian Panthers help Islanders in all sorts of ways, but Dad wouldn’t listen. As far as he’s concerned, they’re just a gang who is causing trouble instead of getting
on with their lives.

  I didn’t want to argue with Dad, but I thought he was being unfair, so I said, “Dad, do you know that panthers only attack when they are attacked first?”

  Well, that didn’t help. Dad got really angry and said, “These people are filling your head with a load of nonsense.”

  Lenny got angry then. “When will you get it, Dad? They’re doing what is right for our people. They are the ones who are standing up to the government and telling them they can’t treat people unfairly.”

  “I know all about the Black Panthers in America.” Dad was nearly shouting at Lenny now. “They’re a gang that makes all sorts of trouble for the police. You can’t tell me the Polynesian Panthers are any different. They’ re all gangs, and if you hang around with them, you will end up in jail!”

  Lenny started to yell at Dad himself, saying, “That’s the point, Dad! Pacific Islanders ARE ending up in jail, for no reason other than the government making them targets and blaming them for the downturn in the economy.”

  I couldn’t help myself. I had to jump in too. “But, Dad—you met Tigi and Mr. Parker at the pub the other night. They’re trying to help the Islanders who are being picked on. You met them, you know they’re good people.”

  Dad yelled back: “Lenny, you should never have taken your sisters there. And you girls should know better than to hang out with these people!”

  Lenny stood up and said, “You aren’t even listening to what we’re saying.”

  “SIT DOWN!” Dad yelled. “I’m telling all three of you that you will NOT be going back to that house, or to any more meetings.”

  “I’m almost 18!” Lenny shouted. “I can decide for myself who and what I support.”

  Dad stood up too, and said in a quiet voice, through clenched teeth, “Don’t … talk … to me … like that.”

  Lenny stopped for a moment and no one knew what was going to happen next. Then Lenny sat down. THANK GOODNESS!

  Mum and Lily let out a little breath and I could see they were both relieved, like I was. After the fight, we all got sent to our rooms. Me and Lily were upset. We talked for a bit about why Dad won’t listen to what we’re saying. Lily reckons he just doesn’t understand what’s going on. I told her I wanted to ask Dad if he had the right paperwork to be here, but now I’ m too scared in case it fires him up again. Lily said she was sure he does, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to work and stuff like that. I felt a bit better then. Lily always knows what to say to make people feel better.

  I don’t think we’ll be seeing Tigi and the crew again. It’s a shame, I liked hanging out with them, and playing with baby Che.

  Lenny poked his head in the door later and said he’ d asked his boss if I could have a milk run, and told him I’m a good worker. His boss had asked if I was good at maths for giving change and stuff.

  “You know I’m really good at maths,” I said.

  “Yep, I told him that. And guess what? He said that you can do a one-week trial to see if you can manage all the heavy lifting.”

  Oh shoot, I thought, now I’ll have to ask Mum and Dad—and at the moment I don’t think they will be saying yes to anything.

  Lenny said I could start on Sunday if I was allowed. Looks like I have 2 days to get Mum and Dad to say yes. I really really really—to infinity and back—want this milk run. I need my own money.

  FRIDAY, 23 July

  * * *

  Grrr. Why are my little brothers so stupid? Mum and Dad must feel pretty disappointed in their kids this week. They’ve been up to the hospital AGAIN with Tavita. Mum said the doctor made her feel like a bad mother when he said, “I see you were here a month ago with Tavita.” Except he pronounced it, “Tar-vie-tah.” Mum said yes, but he’s had another accident. Apparently the doctor raised an eyebrow, and that’s why Mum was annoyed with him.

  Dad didn’t see it and thought she was reading too much into it, but Mum was pretty sure the doctor was implying that she doesn’ t look after her kids properly. Dad said, “You can’t watch kids every minute of every day.”

  This time, the boys had been playing in the shed. Ethan had learnt to do a hangman’s noose—I don’t know who taught him or why—and he had made one for Tavita to try. (I know!) He helped Tavita onto a stool, tied his hands together, then put the noose around his neck. They were playing Sinbad the Sailor, apparently. Ethan said, “Take that, you swine,” and kicked the stool away, which left Tavita hanging there by his neck, kicking. Ethan realised straightaway that this was a bad idea (no kidding!) and rushed to help Tavita, but didn’t know what to do, so he started screaming for Mum.

  Mum and Dad came running. When they got there, Ethan was holding Tavita up by his legs. Mum got such a fright she got all woozy and fainted, hitting her face on the shed doorway on her way down. Dad rushed over and lifted Tavita up. He was able to hold him up with one arm and loosen the knot with his other hand. Tavita’ s face was bright red and he had rope burns on his neck. Dad could see Tavita was breathing so he put him down and rushed over to Mum, who was starting to unfaint. He yelled at Ethan to get Mum a drink of water, but Ethan was so shocked, he just stood there. Dad yelled at him again, then Ethan spewed—all over Mum’s feet!

  Once everyone had got themselves together, Dad checked that they were all okay. Tavita said his neck hurt real bad at the back so Mum and Dad decided to take him to the hospital, in case something was broken. I thought if you got a broken neck you just died.

  Poor Mum, she had to sit in the waiting room with a cut cheek, spew on her shoes, and a kid with rope burns on his throat. No wonder that doctor gave her the stink-eye. I’m so glad I didn’t have to go to the hospital with them.

  Me and Lily stayed home to look after Ethan. He was so scared about what was going to happen to him this time. Lily was great. She told him it would be okay, that he would probably get a telling-off, but maybe it would help him to think about things in the future and be more sensible. I didn’t say it, but I was just thinking, You are such an idiot, Ethan.

  When they got home from the hospital, Mum looked exhausted. Dad called Ethan over and we all thought, Uh-oh, but then Dad just gave him a hug. In some ways, I think this was worse than a hiding or a telling-off, coz Ethan started blubbing and he couldn’t stop. Me and Lily made Mum and Dad a cup of tea and some plates of banana on toast for everyone.

  Then Dad asked where Lenny was. I hadn’t even thought about Lenny, with everything that was going on, but now I realised he hadn’t come home after his milk run. Lily must’ve known where he was coz she said he’d gone to the dairy to get some milk. Mum and Dad must have been too tired to even think properly and they just nodded. But why would Lenny need to go out for milk when he has a milk run and we get a free bottle every day? When he came in about 10 minutes later, Mum and Dad didn’t seem to notice he wasn’t carrying any milk. It must’ ve been a tough day for them, poor Mum and Dad.

  Oh, and it’s Mum and Dad’s wedding anniversary today—they’ve been married for 19 years. It’s not very fair they had to spend their anniversary at the hospital and have toast for dinner.

  SATURDAY, 24 July

  * * *

  Finally! Things are getting better. Three fantastic things happened today:

  We got a letter from Samoa. Grandma and Grandpa are coming to New Zealand. They’re going to be in Auckland with Uncle Joe, Dad’s brother. (Joe’s not his real name. Actually, I’m not even sure what it is!)

  Dad said we are going on a family holiday to Auckland to see Grandma and Grandpa. YAY! They’ll be there in October, so the best part is, it’s not school holidays so we’re going to get extra time off school. We might be in Auckland for a couple of weeks, Dad says. It’s so exciting! We leave on the 10th of October, so Lenny will have his 18th birthday up there. Cool.

  Since Dad and Mum are all happy about the holiday, I figured it was a good time to ask if I could do a milk run with Lenny. They thought about it for a while, and when I told them I’ d still work hard at school, and do my
chores, they said I could do the trial.

  I’m SO happy right now. I’m going to have my own money! I’ll save hard so I can buy those boots for when we go on holiday to Auckland.

  Lenny and Rawiri were sitting on the steps talking when I went to tell them about the milk run. Lenny said I have to be ready at 4:00 p.m., when the milk truck comes past to pick us up. I asked what I should wear and he said there’s a lot of running and carrying heavy stuff, so I’d have to wear something suitable.

  I could see that Rawiri and Lenny wanted to talk more so I left them alone. I bet they were talking about wherever it was that Lenny went yesterday. I reckon he was at another PP meeting. I hope Dad doesn’t figure it out or there will be a gigantic fight.

  I can’t wait to start my milk run tomorrow! I’m going to work so hard to make sure I keep this job. I’ ll go to bed early tonight so I get tons of rest.

  SUNDAY, 25 July

  * * *

  Man, I’m so foofed! I went to bed early, but I was so excited about the milk run, I couldn’t sleep. I kept turning over and over and over in bed until the sheets wrapped me up like a mummy. I was still wide awake when Lily came to bed, then I woke up earlier than usual because I was still excited. When it finally came time for the milk run I was feeling pretty siked psiked psyked (I think that’s how to spell it).

  Getting on and off the truck was pretty tricky. As the milk truck arrived, it sort of slowed down, and we had to run to catch up then grab on to the handrail thingy and leap up on the ledge at the back. The ledge is where we stand when the truck is moving. Lenny went first and made it look easy. Then it was my turn and I had no trouble running along behind the truck coz it was going quite slow, but I didn’t know there was such a knack in jumping onto the ledge. I grabbed the handrail okay, but didn’t realise I needed to keep running in order to jump up on. Lenny could see what was happening straightaway and yelled, “Don’t let go!” My feet started to drag along the road but before I knew it Lenny had pulled me up.