Introduction:The Polynesian Panther Party is significant to New Zealand more than other events because it was an organisation founded by New Zealand born Polynesians on June 16, 1971. The party was influenced by the American black Panther party specifically black American African activist Huey P. Newton and his policy of black unity.The first significant upward movement of Pacific migrants to New Zealand began in the late 1950’s. The shortage of availability for labour due to the impact from WWII saw the New Zealand government turn to the Pacific Islands to seek coverage to get better on illness n the economy’s downfall. Specific programmes allowed both young men and women to travel to New Zealand as agricultural and forestry workers, with women acting as domestics. One main shortage was the manufacturing sector which called many Pacific Island men to be employed as labourers due to their reputation of physical ability. A flow on effect was that this caused a substantial increase of the provision of aid to the Pacific Islands in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It is notable that the 1972 Labour government is known to be identified as the turning point for New Zealand’s relations with the Pacific Islands. Norman Kirk, the Prime Minister at the time, set out and substantially increased overseas development assistance, raising the proportioned channelled into the South Pacific.
|
|