I wonder if Dame Whina Cooper is leading this one. Maybe Uncle Joe will be involved, since he’s been hanging out with the Panthers. Oh, I found out his real name is Iosefa—that’s much better than Joe.
TUESDAY, 9 November
* * *
I got to stay home today to look after Ethan, coz Mum and Dad had a meeting at the bank in Wellington and then had some jobs to do. I made us pancakes with syrup for lunch and had to cut Ethan’s up for him. They were yum—all crispy around the edges. Dad taught me to make them. He said butter is what makes them good, so I used lots. We played some Chinese checkers and draughts, then Ethan fell asleep for a while. Mum and Dad got home after 3 o’clock, so they picked Tavita up from school on the way and bought some lamingtons with cream for afternoon tea. I had 2, they were yum.
At about 4 o’clock there was a knock at the door, which freaked the boys out. I told them it was okay because I could hear Dad talking to whoever it was. I wandered out to see who it was and was shocked to see Mr. Carter. He had a note for me with the details about the speech competition. Dad invited him in and Mum made a cup of tea. Lucky we hadn’ t eaten all the lamingtons. I think he thought Mum had made them and he was pretty impressed.
He asked how my speech was going—I had forgotten we were supposed to be sharing today! I said I was still working on it, so he asked if he could hear what I had. I told him it was at school in my desk so he said he would check in with me during the week.
I looked at the details for the competition that he’d brought around. My age group starts at 11:00 a.m. and we have to be there 20 minutes beforehand. There are 6 kids in my age group from different colleges—and I’m first! Then there’s a half-hour break for the judges to discuss after each section before placings are announced. I feel really nervous now!
WEDNESDAY, 10 November
* * *
Poi day was really neat! Some of the moves were easy, but some were hard. I brought mine home to practise. FUN FUN FUN. I can see this is going to be the new lunchtime thing to do.
At the end of the day Mr. Morrison told the class about my speech competition this weekend. Argh, no! I didn’t want everyone to know. Mr. Parker asked if he could come along to support me. He said he would come with Charlotte, Rawiri, and Charlotte’s mum.
“WHAT? I didn’t expect people to come and listen.”
Mr. Parker said, “It’s about people wanting to support you, girl.” I hadn’t thought about that. I liked that Mr. Parker called me “girl” like he does with Charlotte. Maybe I’ll get to call him Uncle Piripi one day too.
Fish ’n’ chips night again. I had a battered hot dog and sauce tonight.
THURSDAY, 11 November
* * *
I worked on my speech for ages last night, until Mum came and told me I needed to turn the light off and go to sleep. I didn’t want to stop, especially now I know people are coming to listen! I got my torch out and tried to work on it under the blankets, but that was too hard, so I pulled one corner of my bedspread across to the chest of drawers and tucked it into the top drawer, which made a sort of tent. It worked really well and I wrote until I could hardly see. I was pretty tired at school today, but it was worth it. Mr. Carter was pleased with it. He had some ideas about a few changes I could make.
FRIDAY, 12 November
* * *
Mr. Arbuckle came into class to wish me well for the speech competition, Mum said that was nice.
Katrina was away today so Charlotte was doing the milk run. She asked me about my speech then asked what I was going to wear. I hadn’t even thought about that. I said my boots for sure, but I didn’t have a good skirt to go with them, then Charlotte said she has a green suede skirt and matching battle jacket that I could borrow and they would look great with the boots.
Rawiri brought Charlotte over after tea. The skirt and battle jacket are SO FUNKY! I tried them on with my boots and showed everyone, they said it looked FAB. Lily is going to do a hair plait for me too, so even if my speech doesn’t go well, at least I’ll look good.
SUNDAY, 14 November
* * *
Yesterday was da bomb!
I got up early and practised my speech in the bathroom so I could see myself in the mirror to check I was making eye contact with the audience. I timed myself again too. I didn’t eat breakfast. Mum kept trying to make me, but I just couldn’t.
When we got to the competitions the 11 to 12 age group were just finishing, so we waited for the break, then went in and took a seat. The judges came onstage to announce that a girl from Titahi Bay Intermediate won that section.
I looked around and saw Charlotte and her mum sitting with Rawiri and Mr. Parker. Behind them were Mr. Carter and Mr. Morrison with Tania, Colin, Walter, and Jonathan. Oh, crumbs! I didn’t know if it was good or bad having them all there. Mr. Carter came over and said, “Sofia, your speech is fantastic and you have an important message to get across, so try to enjoy yourself.”
Huh, there was nothing enjoyable about this! I was starting to fidget so I sat on my hands to keep them still—they were feeling sweaty.
The announcer introduced the next age group and the judges, who were a Radio Windy host, an Evening Post reporter, and a lady who has some big business whose name I can’t remember.
Next thing, I heard my name called and I got a ringing sound in my ears as I got up and walked onto the stage. The hall was about half full and I stared at the crowd. The announcer said, “Welcome, Sofia. Your time starts now!”
I smiled (like Mr. Carter told us to), breathed in (like he said to), and opened my mouth (I thought of that bit myself, haha). Then I said:
“Talofa lava and good morning. I am Sofia Christina Savea. My speech is called ‘Polynesian Panthers—Gang Members or Good Guys?’
“Imagine this: You’re having an amazing family holiday, one where everyone is there and all 18 of you are squeezed into one house. Kids are playing outside, adults are talking inside, there’s food and games and laughing. The teenagers are sleeping out the back in a tent, the younger kids are on mattresses on the floor, the adults are sleeping in the bedrooms, and it’s the best family holiday ever.
“Fast forward to 4 o’clock in the morning, and there’s banging and yelling and screaming. The police are in the house, pulling people out of bed. They have a dog with them—it’s snarling and barking, kids are crying and everyone is confused. Mums are crying and hugging kids, grandparents are scared. Some of the men are taken away in a paddy wagon.
“It sounds like a made-up horror story, doesn’t it? But it’s not. It’s real. It’s called a dawn raid, and it’s something that has been happening to Pacific Island people for the past 2 years. How do I know this? Because it happened to me and my family last month when we were on holiday in Auckland.”
I paused for a moment here. The judges’ eyes were wide and they sat up a bit in their seats.
“It was terrifying—and it should never have happened. You probably have lots of questions about why the police would do something like this to a family who are enjoying a fun holiday together and have done nothing wrong. It’s all to do with the current economic crisis and the government cracking down on overstayers. Now, you might be thinking, Okay, so what’s an overstayer? That’s someone who has asked to come to Aotearoa/New Zealand to work or visit, but then has not returned to where they came from when their work or visitor permits ran out. So they become ‘overstayers.’ There are a lot of overstayers in New Zealand, from countries all over the world, but the government has targeted ONLY Pacific Islanders, who make up just thirty-three percent of the overstayers. The other sixty-six percent are from European countries. However, the government has been carrying out dawn raids on Polynesians for a long time.
Two of the judges whispered to each other, which put me off a bit. I didn’t know if it was because they liked my speech or they didn’t like it.
“By now you may be thinking, What happened to the people who were taken away in the paddy wagons?
They were taken to the police station and locked in cells. There was no time to get dressed so some were in their lavalavas and some had bare feet. They were frightened, confused, and angry.
“The people who were left at home didn’t know what to do, so they contacted some friends who are members of a group called the Polynesian Panthers. The Panthers came to help them. They got them out of jail, taught them about their rights, and even brought them food after the raid.
“In news reports, the Polynesian Panthers have been talked about as troublemakers—gang members who are hostile and militant, which means sort of army-like. If you visit the Panthers headquarters in Auckland—and yes, having a headquarters sounds like something from Get Smart but it’s not like that”—the people all laughed when I said that—“what you will find is a group that is focused, organised, caring, strong, and brave. Yes, it is true that the Panthers have had to stand up for what they believe is right, and it is because of them the public is learning about the dawn raids.
“Here is some of the good work they’re doing.” I held the booklet up here. “They have created a legal aid booklet that tells people what to do to protect themselves if they are picked on unfairly. They have started homework clubs to help kids succeed at school. They help the elderly people in their community by doing gardening and odd jobs … and they challenge the government on behalf of Pacific Island people. I wonder how much of that has been reported in the news.
“Let me tell you more about the Panthers. They have branches throughout New Zealand, even as far away as Dunedin. They have been here in Porirua recently, teaching people about their rights, and they marched with the hīkoi in October last year. A Polynesian Panther called Brother Tigilau Ness brought a group here and told people about a man called Che Guevara, who inspired him so much that Tigilau named his son after him. Ernesto Che Guevara, or ‘Che,’ was an Argentinian leader and revolutionary who believed in standing up for the rights of others. In his words, ‘Above all, always be capable of feeling deeply any injustice committed against anyone, anywhere in the world.’
“My family was lucky to have the Polynesian Panthers to support us when we were dawn-raided and treated unfairly. The Panthers told us, adults and children, that we are now part of the change that needs to happen. They also told us that Che Guevara believed that the first duty of a revolutionary is to be educated.
“If you had asked me 2 months ago if I could make a difference in the world, I would have said, ‘I’m only 13, what can I do to make a difference?’ But now I see that anyone can make a difference, like Tigilau taught us. We can ‘educate to liberate,’ which means we need to get informed about what is going on around us and teach others. Whether you’re a child or an adult, you can make a change—find out, get information, share it with others. Information is power!
“What I have learned is, what we hear in the news depends on who is doing the reporting. So is everyone getting a fair point of view about what’s really happening?
“Maybe the title of my speech should change from ‘Polynesian Panthers—Gang Members or Good Guys?’ to ‘News Media—Fair or Biased?’
“Fa’afetai lava—thank you.”
I wasn’t sure if I breathed at all during the speech but I let out a big breath when I finished. Everyone started clapping and I could hear my supporters whistling and shouting. As I went to step away from the microphone, Mr. Parker, Charlotte, her mum, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Carter, Tania, Colin, Walter, and Jonathan all stood up and sang “Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi.” I realised they were doing the song of support—a waiata tautoko—that Mr. Parker had told us about in class.
I froze, and then tears started rolling down my cheeks. I didn’t have a hanky so I had to wipe my face on Charlotte’s jacket. (Sorry, Charlotte!) When they finished, people clapped for them as well—it was very cool.
I sat down beside Dad and he put his arm around my shoulder. I wouldn’t normally want him to do that in public, but I was okay with it. I sat through the other speeches without even taking in what they were about. All I could think about was the waiata tautoko and how good it made me feel.
When it came time for judging, all 6 competitors had to stand on the stage and get feedback from the judges. I was first.
The business lady judge started, and she was cool. “Sofia, let me start by saying I admire your confident point of view and your hard-hitting message.”
The radio guy was next. “Strong delivery, Sofia. Your pauses, timing, and audience engagement were superb.”
The media guy said, “Wow, Sofia—you should consider a career in journalism yourself.” I felt chuffed about that.
Then the business lady added, “By the way, love, your fashion sense is impeccable. I love your look!”
I looked at Charlotte, she smiled and gave me the thumbs-up.
I came 2nd. The winner’s speech was called “The World of Fashion.” I don’t remember much about it, but Mum said it was very good. I got a book voucher and a bookmark for coming 2nd.
I had to do my milk run after that, which was a bit of a letdown, but when I got home I got a HUGE surprise. I walked in to a crowd singing, “For she’s a jolly good fellow.” I was thinking, Wha-a-a-at? It’s not my birthday, then Dad came over and put his arm around my shoulder (again) and said, “Sofia Christina Savea, you’re a winner in our eyes.”
Oh! It was a celebration party for my speech. Flippin’ heck!!!!! I started to cry again. Everyone who came to the speech competition was there, plus Charlotte’s auntie, a few other cousins, and Archie, of course.
Mr. Parker brought his guitar so our group and Mr. Morrison did the songs he taught us. I wish we had our poi and rakau so we could’ ve done that too. Then everybody sang heaps of songs, like “Ten Guitars” and “The Green Door.” I was sitting on the floor beside Lily as she sang loudly. “What’s those words you’re singing?” I asked her.
“Gringo, what’s that secret you’re keeping … ” she sang to me.
Everyone around us cracked up, and Lily said, “What?”
“It’s ‘green door’ not ‘gringo,’ ” Mum told her, laughing. Maybe it’s a family thing that we don’t know the proper words to songs. Anyway, we sang it some more—this time with Lily’s words—so now the song is called “Gringo” in our family!
Everyone had brought food and Mum and Dad made a chop suey, cornbeef stew, and rice. We sang and talked and laughed for hours. The boys eventually fell asleep on the couch and Dad carried them to bed.
I think the best bit of the party was when Charlotte told me her favourite thing was the CORNBEEF stew. We’ve come a long way since that day we had the fight! It looks like our families are going to be great friends. How funny would it be if Charlotte and I end up best friends!!!
HISTORICAL NOTE
In 1976, things like colour television, bikes, family holidays, and Polaroid cameras were considered luxury items in New Zealand. This indicates that Sofia’s family was in a comfortable financial position. Having two parents earning incomes would have contributed to this stability. The main takeaway food available at the time was fish and chips, which was still considered a special treat. Takeaway outlets had not long been on the scene in New Zealand; as Sofia explains, McDonald’s had only just opened in 1976 in Porirua. Kentucky Fried Chicken (now called KFC) had opened five years earlier in Auckland, and Pizza Hut had opened just two years earlier, in 1974.
Sport was a popular pastime for children in the 1970s. Girls were beginning to take up sports once considered only for boys, such as cricket, soccer, and rugby. Boys were also being encouraged to play netball, but not many took it up. Television was one of the most popular pastimes for kids, and it had a start and a finish time, unlike now, where it runs for 24 hours a day. In 1980, the Goodnight Kiwi (a cartoon kiwi and his cat) would signal the end of broadcasting each day. He was retired in 1994, when 24-hour television transmission began.
Milk deliveries used to be in the early hours of the morning, so empty milk bottles would be put ou
t at the gate at night with money or tokens left in the bottles. After around 1972, afternoon milk deliveries (like Sofia and Lenny’s) replaced the early morning milk runs.
Music at the time was hugely influenced by the “disco” era—a breakaway from more traditional folk and country styles. Disco fashion for women included hot pants and platform shoes, and no makeup bag was complete without glitter gel, which was used in large quantities up the sides of the cheeks. Men’s fashion included polyester suits with pointy collars on shirts or jackets and flared trousers. “Mullet” or “shaggy cut” hairstyles were all the go for men and women.
Gender roles were shifting. Traditionally, boys did woodwork and metalwork classes, and girls did home economics (cooking), sewing, and typing classes, but by the mid-1970s, all of these classes were offered to both genders.
Māori language and culture had only begun to feature in some schools at the time. This was largely due to Māori people asserting their rights to reclaim land, language, and identity. In 1973, Ngā Tamatoa (a Māori political group) presented a petition to the government to support Māori language in schools. The use of Māori language in schools had been suppressed, especially from the 1940s, with many elderly Māori people reporting how they had been punished for using te reo (the language of) Māori at school. Māori did not become an official language of New Zealand until 1987.
The 1970s were an era of protest, rights, and liberation, perhaps spurred on by prominent overseas rights advocates of the 1960s, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks from America, and Ernesto “Che” Guevara from Argentina leading the way and standing up for people’s rights and justice. In New Zealand, women’s rights were at the forefront, with groups demanding equal pay for equal work, and women wanting a say in issues that affected them. The Polynesian Panther movement in New Zealand was heavily influenced by the American Black Panthers, with similarly held beliefs about fighting oppression and injustice. The Black Panther Party was formed in 1966 by co-founders Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale with the purpose of challenging police brutality against Black citizens. The Black Panthers were easily recognised in their trademark black berets and leather jackets. Alongside their original purpose of monitoring police activity, their goals also included gaining positions for Black people in political office. They instigated change from within their own communities with breakfast clubs for children, which at their peak included 20,000 children across America—the Black Panther Party believed in the power of education and they wanted young people to turn up to school fed and ready to learn. They also initiated homework clubs, health care clinics, and many other social programs. The group officially ceased in 1982 due to a number of factors, including prolonged external pressure from the government and internal issues from within the group. Some original members remain active to this day as they continue to pass on knowledge of their experiences through public speaking engagements. Artist Emory Douglas, whose artwork featured in the Black Panther Party newspaper, continues to create murals and other graphic artworks with messages that highlight past and current injustices.
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