Exhibition Anti-Racism2 - 1970sprotestphotos

Exhibition: Anti-Racism

Pervasive, Widespread and Institutionalised

Before the 1970s, many New Zealanders believed our ‘race relations’ were beyond reproach. But racism against Māori and Pacific peoples remained pervasive, widespread and institutionalised.

Photographs

Tama Te Kapua (Tom) Poata holds the Māori Organisation on Human Rights (MOOHR) banner at the opening of Parliament by the Queen in 1970. Tom, Mātenga Baker and others set up MOOHR, an activist group that forged connections between organised workers and Māori campaigns on justice, land, education, prison statistics and housing.

JOHN M MILLER

The Polynesian Panther Party, inspired by the Black Panthers in America, was formed in response to racial discrimination experienced by the Pasifika community. This protest in Auckland in 1972 was in solidarity with the two remaining Soledad brothers in the United States who were released from prison later that year.

JOHN M MILLER

Ngā Tamatoa and Polynesian Panthers march in the anti-Vietnam war mobilisation on 14 July 1972. Both organisations worked politically and in the community to overcome racial discrimination which was hindering fair access to quality education, health, and housing. Tāme Iti is holding the megaphone. Behind his right shoulder is John (“Ringo”) Ohia and Linda Kirkwood is below the placard on the left.

JOHN M MILLER

Protester Dun Mihaka raises his banner in the crowd at the opening of Parliament by Queen Elizabeth in 1974. His open letter to the Queen stated that he and fellow protesters were representatives of ethnic peoples in the “Commonwealth Family” and reminded her about broken promises made at Waitangi.

KEITH STEWART

Members and supporters of the Auckland Committee on Racism and Discrimination (ACORD) demonstrate in July 1976 outside Mount Eden Prison against the imprisonment of children. David Lange is on the right.

ACORD FOUNDATION

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