Howick College Year 11 history students learnt first-hand about activism in New Zealand from Polynesian Panther Party members.
On Wednesday, March 17 Howick College welcomed Dr Melani Anae and Rev Alec Toleafoa to talk to history students about their part in founding the Polynesian Panthers in 1971, their experiences of racial injustice and the infamous Dawn Raids of the 70s.
It was an opportunity for students to ask questions and listen to personal testimonies from inspirational leaders 50 years on as they learnt about the progress New Zealand has made and the work that is still being done.
Year 13 student Lily Moore impressed Dr Anae with her insightful question on how to approach those who display systemic racism and challenge their thinking.
Lily won a copy of Dr Anae’s book ‘Polynesian Panthers’.
The discussion was filmed by TVNZ’s Sunday and the episode aired on Sunday March 21.
