The Polynesian Panthers

THE PANTHERS: Strongest ever opening week for a drama on TVNZ OnDemand

Inspired by true events THE PANTHERS was released in Aotearoa on 15th August and earned praise from critics for its bold storytelling, artful infusion of music and strong performances.

THE PANTHERS follows Will ‘Ilolahia (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), who along with a group of young street gangsters and university students, form The Polynesian Panthers in the 1970s; to fight a broken system and become the history-making revolutionaries that their community so desperately need them to be.

The Panthers: TV series re-enacts the journeys of the Polynesian Panthers

The Polynesian Panthers created their own revolutionary footprint in New Zealand in response to the dawn raids that saw their families hounded by police and tracker dogs then illegally deported.

Associate producer Jaunnie Ilolahia may have been a child at the time but this is a story close to her heart.

"I was born into the movement and I've definitely seen a lot of changes. My parents co-founded the movement and they were there right from the very beginning '71 and '72.