DAWN RAID - A book review by Kaiata Kaitao

Dawn Raid By Pauline Vaeluaga Smith

The book “ Dawn Raid” is the story of a young Samoan girl named Sofia. At the beginning of the book, Sofia’s biggest problems are how she can afford go - go boots, or how to write her speech. But as the book progresses, it shows a great representation of the Pacific people’s point of view during the Dawn Raids.

The story is written as the diary of an 11 year old Sofia Savea, as she talks about the first Mcdonald's in New Zealand opening in her hometown ( cheeseburgers were only 33c!) and how her little brother wound up in hospital AGAIN! She also writes about the groovy white go - go boots that she wants and how she will recite a speech in front of her ENTIRE school! Although these problems seem big now, they are nothing compared to what’s coming.

Then, as if Sofia’s life was thrown in a hurricane, all of her personal problems  are being mixed up, and she finds out that kids like her are being sent to places they never knew of. She meets the Polynesian Panthers and finds out that they’re not a gang, but instead a family of tight knit individuals, fighting for what’s right. But one morning, after an amazing night with her family, all the bad things she has heard about suddenly happen to her. That’s right, Sofia has been Dawn Raided. How will she continue after this incident?

Dawn Raid is an amazing book. It highlights the struggle of Pacific people during that time and the way the book is written, it makes you feel like you are in 1971, experiencing these events with her. I highly recommend that you read it, as it may change the way you see NZ history.