One of the darkest days in Samoan-New Zealand relations has been commemorated by a small group of artists and activists in Mangere on Wednesday.
Led by Andy Leleisi'uao, around 25 people marched from the Samoan Consulate in Mangere via the Mangere Lawn Cemetery to Mangere Mountain to remember the eight killed on December 28, 1929, in what has been coined, 'Black Saturday' by historians.
The march, which left at 9am, aimed to mark this significant event in Samoa's fight for independence from colonial rule, when a peaceful protest through the streets of Apia turned fatal when New Zealand military police opened fire on Mau independence demonstrators, killing revered leader Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III and at least seven others. A New Zealand officer, Constable Abraham was also killed, clubbed to death during the melee.
Leleisi'uao said the commemorative march has been something he has wanted to do for over 20 years so it was a relief to finally see it through to completion.
"We only expected three people, so to get this many is a surprise," he said.
"This is just a project we've been meaning to do for a while now. It's just come from getting inspired by a group of artists. We have a poet, a performance artist, photographer, and I'm a painter and we have come along to commemorate something that's important to us."
Leleisi'uao said that it was vital to remember significant moments in Samoan history, particularly for those like himself who were born and raised in New Zealand.
"Historically and culturally it's important for us to remember and not to just move on. It still has meaning to us but so many of our young people aren't aware of it, like my daughter who's 18 and has never heard of it."
Leleisi'uao is hoping remembrance events such as these can build momentum towards celebrating the ninetieth anniversary of 'Black Saturday' in 2019.
"Doing it in Mangere is important because this is where so many of our people have first landed.
"And it's just about letting people know that this has meaning to us and despite being born in New Zealand, we haven't forgotten where we come from."
'BLACK SATURDAY'
The shooting on December 28, 1929 was precipitated by a peaceful march led by a group, called the Mau, campaigning for independence from New Zealand's colonial rule of Samoa.
They were celebrating the return of two of their leaders who had been exiled in New Zealand when military police took umbrage at the march, due to fears it could incite widespread protests and attempted to arrest the leaders.
When the crowds resisted attempts to make arrests, police opened fire on the marchers using a machine gun and rifles, killing at least 8 and injuring up to 50.
WALK ROUTE
The marchers went via to the Mangere Lawn Cemetery to acknowledge the many Samoans who have died in New Zealand without being able to return home and be buried in their villages in Samoa.