Dawn Raid

by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith

  The policeman doesn’t ask anything about Mum or Auntie Aletta. Probably because they’re not Islanders. He did ask for the names of all us kids. Uncle Joe goes around naming everyone, but when he gets to Paul he says, “This is Baul.” Because of his Island accent, his “p” sounds like a “b.” The cop says, “Ball, what kind of a stupid name is that for a kid?”

  I could see what was happening, so I tell the policeman it’s Paul and he says, “I told you to shut the (F word) up.”

  Well—that’s when Alex got put in the paddy wagon—and poor Uncle Joe too, coz he was trying to stop Alex from hitting the policeman, but the police all thought they were being attacked. So that’s how all the men got taken to jail.

  Grandma and Grandpa were crying and so were we. Now Mum and Auntie Aletta have gone to the Panthers’ HQ to get some help.

  3:00 p.m.

  Everyone is back home now. Tigi and some Panther brothers are here talking with the adults. Lenny has a bandage on his arm from the dog bite—or should I say, the vicious dog attack!

  TUESDAY, 19 October

  * * *

  The men told us all about what happened. On the way to jail, Lenny was shouting at the police asking what grounds they had for invading our privacy, asking for their badge numbers and stuff like that. He learnt about that from the legal aid booklet. It didn’t help though, coz they wouldn’t listen to him. Lenny said they were taken to jail and all put in separate cells. By lunchtime the Panthers were at the jail along with a guy called Hone Harawira, who’s a member of Ngā Tamatoa (they’re a Māori group, sort of like the Panthers I think), and David Lange (the lawyer guy). Lenny said Mr. Lange really is “da man.” He did his lawyer talking and got them all released. He told the police the raid was illegal and that there will be action from the Panthers in response.

  Afterwards, the Panthers and Hone came to Uncle Joe’ s to talk with the family. They gave out legal aid booklets and told Uncle Joe to spread the word to his friends about their rights. The Panthers and Ngā Tamatoa brought us food as well. I guess they knew everyone would be too upset to think about cooking, so that was really nice and helpful.

  We think Uncle Joe’s neighbour dobbed us in to the police because there were so many of us staying in the one house. He never bothered to find out why we were all there. Uncle Joe said the neighbor has never been very friendly and it didn’t surprise him.

  It’s funny (not haha funny, just odd) how us kids all remember different things about what happened. Sometimes we found ourselves arguing about how it happened and in what order things happened—AS IF IT MATTERED!

  WEDNESDAY, 20 October

  * * *

  Tavita has been glued to Dad since the raid. He even slept in Mum and Dad’s bed last night. We had a quiet day. I think everyone is still upset. Grandma carries her hanky in her hand and keeps dabbing her eyes. Poor Grandma and Grandpa, this is not what their holiday should be like.

  In the afternoon, all us kids—even Lenny and Alex—watched cartoons. The mums made us doughnuts, all crunchy and covered in icing sugar. When we’d finished, the boys licked the plates. We were watching The Jetsons, a cartoon about a space-age family. The mum was talking to her friend on a TV phone where they could see each other. It was early in the morning and Jane looked awful, but when the phone rang she had this mask of herself that she put on so her friend wouldn’t see her without makeup. Then when Jane sneezed, the mask flew off! Haha.

  Imagine … TV phones, where you can see the person you’re talking to! Nah, can’t ever see that happening, but Alex (who’s science crazy), reckons it could. I think he’s dreaming, there’s no way! When the ads came on we had a competition to see who could sing the most words, me and Suz won with the Bernina ad: “Bernina, Bernina, so easy, simple, and versatile, Bernina, Bernina, gets all your sewing done in style, Bernina, Bernina, the experts all agree …” It’s too long to write it all.

  THURSDAY, 21 October

  * * *

  The grown-ups decided we needed to do something different today so we all went out to the shops. They have great sales in Auckland. I got some flared Wrangler jeans—yippeee! Dad bought this Polaroid camera. It cost $28 and he thought Mum would be angry at the cost but she wasn’t at all. She just said, “It’s a good idea to take photos of everyone when we’re all together.”

  The camera is incredible. You take the photo and it automatically prints out of a slot in the bottom of the camera. It comes out sort of wet, then you just wait about 3 minutes for the picture to develop and dry. We wanted Dad to take a photo of us but he said it was for group photos, although he did take 2 of Grandma and Grandpa on their own and gave one to them.

  The best part of the day was getting buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken for tea. Me and Suz sang the whole ad and everyone laughed. I don’t think Grandma and Grandpa understood it but they thought it was funny too, probably because us kids were bobbing up and down like the kids in the back of the car on the cartoon ad do. “Hugo said you go, and I said no you go …”

  Today was so much fun. I don’t want to go home. We leave on Saturday … BOOOOOOHOOOOO …

  FRIDAY, 22 October

  * * *

  Tigi and some of the Panthers came to see us today. Charlotte’s mum too. She gave me a present for Charlotte, so I put it with the note she’d already given me. Tigi told us the police aren’t pressing any charges against Dad and the others. In fact, he said we might have grounds for a case against them because of “police brutality,” but Dad and the uncles said they didn’t want to do that.

  I had no idea people could press charges against the police. They’re the police—they do the charging! I think Dad and the others should press charges. It’ s not fair that we were treated so badly, especially Grandma and Grandpa. I think they just don’t want to rock the boat and get on the wrong side of the police.

  When Suz and I went to the dairy to get bread, she was saying that her dad was going to make them go to school while we were staying here, but her mum said that wasn’t fair. I’m glad they got to stay home. It wouldn’t have been the same without her and Alofa around.

  I told her about this dream I had last night where I was flying, and she said she has that dream too sometimes. We talked about what happens in our flying dreams and how much we love it. Suz said she asked her family if they have that dream but none of them do. When we got back, I asked Lily if she does and she said no too, so me and Suz decided it’ s our own special thing. When I talked about having to avoid the power lines, Suz knew exactly what that was like. She talked about how, when she’s trying to take off, she runs along and then jumps—and that’s exactly what happens in my flying dream. It was crazy that we both have the same dreams. We promised to write to each other all the time and we made a secret club, called SS, but I can’t write what it stands for because we swore we would keep it our secret.

  I can’t believe the holiday is almost over.

  SUNDAY, 24 October

  * * *

  We got home at 8 o’clock last night and had spaghetti on toast for tea. I had to make the toast but it took ages cooking it on the rack on the stove, then Lenny said to cook it in the oven. That was so much quicker. I could cook heaps at a time, and the toast was golden and super crunchy, I never thought toast could taste so good.

  Leaving Auckland was horrible. Not as bad as being dawn-raided, but nearly.

  No one wanted to start the goodbyes, and once they started, no one wanted to end them. It was so sad to see Dad saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa, they hugged and cried for ages, then I saw Dad put a roll of $5 notes into Grandpa’s hand. Grandpa pretended to donk Dad on the head, then he patted him on the back.

  Grandma said some things in Samoan to Mum. Dad told us later she was saying Mum was a good girl. (That’s nice but she’s not a girl, she’s a lady.)

  I kind of wanted to give my boots to Suz, but I just couldn’t, so instead I gave her my halter-neck top. I put a note with it that said “SS Forever” with loads o
f hearts and kisses, and I drew a picture of me and her flying (teehee, I bet she likes that). I left it on her mattress to find after we’d gone.

  On the trip home, no one knew what to say to Dad, so we were quiet and sad most of the way. We tried to play “I spy with my little eye,” but you could tell no one was in the mood so that soon stopped.

  When we finally got home, the animals were pleased to see us. Dad let Maile sleep in the boys’ room and in the morning Mum said both boys and the dog were all in the same bed. She thinks the dawn raid has spooked the boys.

  Rawiri ended up staying the night too, and sleeping on Lenny’s floor. They talked about what happened in Auckland and I heard Rawiri swearing. Mum and Dad must have heard too coz Dad yelled out to them to tone it down. When Rawiri left, I gave him the present to take home for Charlotte.

  There was so much washing and unpacking to do today I wanted a tent to run away and hide in, but Mum said if we all get stuck in, it will be easier. I’m glad there was no milk run today.

  The Sunday Disney movie was The Swiss Family Robinson. We all loved it, but it made me miss everyone in Auckland. I couldn’t believe it when Ethan said, “Look at Sofia, she’s crying.” I started blinking like crazy, but it didn’t help.

  Mum said, “We’re all just tired out. Let’s make it an early night.”

  Back to school tomorrow … OH NO! I haven’t worked on my speech at all!

  MONDAY, 25 October

  * * *

  The milk run was hard today. Mum was right—I am tired out.

  Charlotte loved the stuff from her mum. She said she could smell the perfume on her letter and the present was a love-bead bracelet, which she was wearing under her school jersey so it wouldn’t get taken off her.

  We talked at morning tea and lunchtime. She wanted to know everything about the dawn raid and about us visiting the Panthers HQ. I felt bad for Charlotte that I got to see her mum and she didn’t.

  TUESDAY, 26 October

  * * *

  I was meant to go to speech coaching with Mr. Carter today, but I couldn’t tell him I hadn’t done anything so I hid in the toilets for the whole lunchtime. I should’ve taken a book or something, coz it was a long time to wait, but it’s interesting what happens in there at lunchtime.

  Some girls were smoking, and then I heard a girl crying, and then I heard some girls talking about boys, and then there’s me—hiding out. Wow! It’s all go in the loos. I should hide there again and write a book about what happens. It might be a best seller. Or it might be a flop and go down the toilet … hahahahaha, that’s funny.

  I got paid today for the week before we went away—what a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting to be paid.

  WEDNESDAY, 27 October

  * * *

  Mr. Parker was back today, Charlotte said he hadn’t been coming to school because he was down south visiting family—his wife (ex-wife) and daughter are in Dunedin. Huh, I didn’t even know he was married. We did our old songs and then he taught us a new song. It’s a poi song and we’re going to make some poi and learn how to use them. Mr Parker showed us his set. Both are the same size. The ball and the attached plaited rope handles are red, black, and white, which he told us was because these are traditional colours used in Māori art. He also said using poi in song and dance takes a lot of skill and we need to practice heaps. There is so much to know about making poi. First we learned some tikanga, or rules, such as don’t hit people with your poi. We also learned that traditionally poi were used by males and females to help strengthen wrists for war. I love it, we always do such fun stuff with him. I wonder if our rakau group will enjoy poi as much as rakau.

  SATURDAY, 30 October

  * * *

  There was lots of mail today. Mum and Dad said they were mostly bills, so we all need to think about tightening our belts. I think it’s a grown-ups way of saying we need to stop spending so much money. They said our holiday cost a lot more than they thought it would.

  I asked if we should do a bottle drive to raise some money, but they laughed and said it’s not that bad yet. Mum said we’re going to plan out our meals for the week so the groceries will cost less. Me, Lenny, and Lily decided we can buy tea one night and split the cost between us. Mum and Dad said we don’t need to do that, but Lenny said, “We’re a team, remember,” so they agreed. It really feels like we are a team. I think the dawn raid sort of pulled us closer together.

  I was excited because there was a letter from Suz. She was wrapped rapt wrapt (don’t know how to spell that) with the top and the note I left her. She signed her letter “SS Forever” as well and drew us flying on a bird, that was a cool idea.

  She said Uncle Joe has been hanging out with Tigi and the Panthers and he is helping out however he can. When I told Dad and Lenny, they were pleased.

  SUNDAY, 31 October

  * * *

  I worked on my speech today, but it didn’t go very well. Still, at least I’ll have something to show Mr. Carter this week.

  MONDAY, 1 November

  * * *

  “A pinch and a punch for the first of the month.”

  TUESDAY, 2 November

  * * *

  There was no hiding from Mr. Carter. Right before lunch he came to the class to check I would be there. We all had to share where we were at with our speeches. The other 2 kids have done so much I felt embarrassed sharing what I had. Mr. Carter was great as usual though, and he said some nice things about all our speeches and then gave us some tips. He told me that my topic was spot-on and said if I can find a way to hook people into it, I would be on track. Next week is the last meeting before the competition so we are going to read our speeches to each other. I might have to take a week off school to prepare!

  WEDNESDAY, 3 November

  * * *

  After the milk run tonight, us kids shouted fish ’n’ chips for dinner. I got one piece of fish and made some hot chip sandwiches as well. It was good helping out, and we’re going to do it again next Wednesday.

  Yay, it was Mr. Parker day at school. We made our poi and learnt to do a four-plait rope for the handle. We used this fabric stuffing for the inside of the poi. It’s like the stuffing you can see on the arm of our couch where the material has worn through. We cut up plastic rubbish bags to make the outsides of the balls. It was hard to get them all the same size. We all laughed at Jonathan’s coz they were about the size of a small soccer ball!

  “You might break your wrists if you try to use those,” Mr. Parker said, so Jonathan had to pull them apart and start again. Next week we’re going to learn how to use poi and the actions for the waiata. EXCITING!

  FRIDAY, 5 November

  * * *

  Guy Fawkes’ Day! There’s going to be a bonfire at the boys’ primary tonight.

  SATURDAY, 6 November

  * * *

  Last night we all went to the bonfire at the boys’ school. Charlotte and Rawiri came too, and Jonathan was there with his family. Dad knew Jonathan’s dad coz they’re from the same village in Samoa. The fireworks display was cool, except it was a bit scary when one big firework fell over and shot into the trees. The men spent ages pouring buckets of water over the area to make sure it didn’t start a fire.

  Us kids had some sparklers and Tom Thumb crackers. Jonathan hung out with me and Charlotte and when it was time to go, his father spoke to him in Samoan—and Jonathan answered in Samoan. I’m so jealous, I wish I could speak Samoan, then I’d be able to talk to Grandma and Grandpa. I don’t know why Dad’s never taught us. Probably because Mum doesn’t speak it, so English is what we’ve always spoken at home. Maybe Jonathan could teach me. When they were leaving, Jonathan’s dad said, “OI, boy, go get your goat.”

  I said, “What? Why would you bring a goat to a bonfire?” Jonathan laughed and laughed and laughed. It turns out his dad was saying “coat” but his “g” sounds like a “c” because of his Samoan accent. I was thinking, Geez, are they going to kill the goat like Lenny had to kill the pig? B
ut no, thank goodness, it’s just a coat.

  SUNDAY, 7 November

  * * *

  You won’t believe this! NOW Ethan has a BROKEN ARM!!!

  He and Archie were sliding down the banister at Archie’s house (which they are NOT s’posed to do). Ethan slipped and fell to the floor below—right from the top, and it’s really high. No one knew for sure if his arm was broken, but Mum made Dad take him to the hospital this time. She said she was sick of showing her face there.

  Lenny went with Dad and they were gone for ages. When they got back, Ethan’s arm was in a plaster cast. I tried to make a joke: “Hey, Ethan’s a half-caste in a cast.” It wasn’ t a good time for a joke apparently. Poor Ethan, it must hurt because he wasn’t really crying, he was just sort of whimpering—a lot. Mum had to give him some Disprin, which made him whimper even more. Dad said the doctors were great and one of them even signed Ethan’s cast and told him to try and get the whole thing covered in signatures before he comes back to get it off in 6 weeks.

  WOW! 6 weeks with a cast on. Ethan is the first person to have a broken bone in our family. He has to have a few days off school. Lucky him.

  MONDAY, 8 November

  * * *

  Charlotte’s mum is back for a surprise visit and is staying until Christmas. After that she may be away for a long time because there’s going to be some big protest thing going on with the people from Charlotte’s tribe. Her iwi is called Ngāti Whātua. The protest is something to do with Māori land and stuff, and the Panthers and Ngā Tamatoa and heaps of other human rights groups might get involved. It’s going to start in January, but they have no idea how long it will go for.