Review: Dawn Raid: The Apology, by Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith

In her award‑winning first novel Dawn Raid, Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith transported readers to the 1970s, where 13‑year‑old Sofia becomes involved with the Pacific Panthers and their work in standing up for those targeted by the Dawn Raids. In Smith’s latest novel, Dawn Raid: The Apology, the narrative has shifted to a new generation, the story told through Sofia’s grandson Jeremy’s diary, written as Aotearoa, in the grips of the Covid‑19 experience, approaches the official Government apology for the Dawn Raids. While the story stands on its own, reading the novel as a companion to Dawn Raid adds a sense of continuity and deepens understanding of the raids and their impact on the Pacific communities who lived through them.

Smith co‑wrote The Apology with her grandson Brooklyn Taylor – a collaboration that feels especially apt for a novel centred on intergenerational connection. She describes the process as a ‘joyful experience,’ and that familial warmth is echoed in the relationship between the characters of Sofia and Jeremy in the story. Taylor’s influence comes through in Jeremy’s diary entries, interspersed with text messages and emojis, often humorous, which feel contemporary and authentic.

An interesting aspect of The Apology is Jeremy’s initial lack of awareness about his grandparents’ experiences during the Dawn Raids and their history of activism. It is a reminder of how easily important family events can fade from memory if not spoken about and shared. The Covid‑19 lockdowns give his aiga the chance to slow down, for three generations to reconnect, and for old stories to be told – stories about the Dawn Raids, the Pacific Panthers and the legacy Jeremy has unknowingly inherited.

A school project prompts Jeremy to connect his personal family history with the wider context of the Dawn Raids, making his deeper investigation feel like a natural progression of the story. The school project structure also gives Smith room to widen the lens, weaving in other important historical events, such as the Springbok tour, the Government’s 2002 apology for the Chinese poll tax, the shooting of members of the Sāmoan Mau movement and the tragic mishandling of the Sāmoan influenza crisis.

The novel balances powerful moments, like the haka offered to Jeremy at the end of his presentation, with everyday details, such as a family debate over who makes the best chop suey. Smith also touches on cultural practices, including the deeply symbolic ifoga ceremony that was performed at the official Government apology – its inclusion sparking differences of opinion between some of the novel’s characters. These portrayals of daily life and traditional practices offer young Pasifika readers a meaningful reflection of their communities and lived experiences.

Jeremy’s diary entries capture the uncertainty and novelty of the Covid‑19 lockdowns – a period that, though recent, is already beginning to fade in our collective memories. At the same time, the novel brings the Dawn Raids into focus, making sure this difficult chapter in Aotearoa’s history isn’t forgotten. The Apology is a reminder of why sharing stories matters; learning from the past, honouring those who came before, and helping the next generation understand the shoulders they stand on.