A mural created by Christchurch artist Kophie Su’a-Hulsbosch, honouring the legacy of the Dawn Raids and celebrating the resilience of Pacific communities in Aotearoa. Photo: Ollie Hudson
A Christchurch-based Samoan artist is documenting history through art, capturing the "resilience and strength" of Pacific people who lived through the Dawn Raids.
Samoan-Dutch artist Kophie Su'a-Hulsbosch spent months consulting with Christchurch's Pasifika community, to bring to life a new mural that honours their journeys while also fostering a deep social understanding.
Su'a-Hulsbosch said the mural, located on the corner of Armagh and Manchester Streets, stands as a powerful testament to this community's resilience.
"It's a way to honour those affected by this period while providing hope for future generations, ensuring these stories are remembered and shared."
Su'a-Hulsbosch said it was an emotional yet rewarding experience, made possible through Creative New Zealand's Niu Dawn Raids Funding Initiative Grant, with support from the Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
Multiple symbolic sections
The mural itself is divided into multiple symbolic sections, each telling a vital part of the Pacific journey in New Zealand.
The left side is a nod to Pacific families' early experiences arriving in Aotearoa symbolised by a Samoan elder with an afro - a reference to the era's struggles.
"It was important to have the big hair shown because, in that time, police would target and look for people with those certain characteristics," Su'a-Hulsbosch said.
A small whare at the bottom of the mural portrays the emotional story of a woman who sheltered up to 12 Tongan families during the raids.
Su'a-Hulsbosch said this women's story stuck out to her, as it encapsulated the adversities the Pacific community faced during that time, including racism.
A hidden river within the mural represents the story of a Tongan man who, while fleeing police, hid in the water and used a bamboo stalk to breathe.
"That was one of the most crazy stories that was told to me. It was real emotional listening to her talk about it."
Su’a-Hulsbosch said the yellow stripe symbolises a river, linking past resilience to present aspirations. Photo: Ollie Hudson
The phrase "knowledge is power" is central in the mural.
Su'a-Hulsbosch said this underscores the importance of education as a form of empowerment, drawn from the Polynesian Panthers' educational campaigns and the community's belief that knowledge leads to liberation.
"The best way to get back at these people tearing you down is to be knowledgeable and be successful."
On the right side of the mural, a young Samoan woman in streetwear represents the Pacific community's current vibrancy in Christchurch. She stands against a backdrop of sunbeams symbolising a "dawn rise," a metaphor for Pacific people's progress and hope, Su'a-Hulsbosch said.
"The mural shows the South Island's snippets of the effects of the Dawn Raids, like kids facing racism at school and fighting through adversity to succeed."
The mural also features historical newspaper articles from the 60s, sent by Tūranga Library, that document "police cracking down on Polynesians in Christchurch".
"Because a lot of people said that it didn't happen down south," she said.
Selina Faimalo, the Project Manager, said "this artwork is not only about remembering the past but about strengthening our community by sharing these powerful stories." Photo: Ollie Hudson
Overcoming challenges
The journey to create the mural was not without challenges.
Despite months of effort to secure a wall, Su'a-Hulsbosch initially faced resistance from building owners hesitant about the mural's "political" nature.
"I think we presented it to 15 different walls, and no one would let me paint it for so long, to the point I was about to paint it in Invercargill- they wanted something 'safe', like birds."
To finally get a wall in such a prominent spot that offered visibility on a history many would rather forget was powerful, she said.
She hoped the mural would encourage people to learn more about Pacific history.
"I would love for it to act as a conversation starter and for people to look into the history of Pacific and New Zealand history... because it's important."
While the official opening will be on Friday, Su'a-Hulsbosch said a plaque will soon be added, allowing visitors to read about the mural's inspiration and understand the deeper stories embedded in it.
"People can come down, read it, take photos, and hopefully look into it more deeply than just seeing it and thinking, 'Oh, that's nice.'"