Collection: ŌTARA PANTHERS!

Ōtara Panthers, a continuous wave off The Polynesian Panthers from the early 70s, Aotearoa. A revolutionary movement voicing up against the harsh point blank institutional racism and prejudices against our people, with the riots against apartheid and occupation of land, standing alongside tangata whenua, Ngati Whatua (Bastion Pt) to only name a few. 

Polynesian Panthers was established on 16th June 1971, by co-founder Will Ilolahia, Fred Schmidt and a few others. 

Polynesian Panthers inspired by African American revolutionary movement, The Black Panther Party.

It was said that through 1 book alone, a book that was picked up by Fred Schmidt along his travels around the world as a sailor, in the late 60s early 70s.

The book was called "Seize The Time" by Robert George Seale (born October 22, 1936) is an American political activist and author. Seale is widely known for co-founding the Black Panther Party with fellow activist Heuy P. Newton.

The book provided the blue print, enough to ignite the fire in the bellys of many Pacfic Islanders to raise their heads with pride, put on a beret and get Organized!

The Polynesian Panthers were born!

Through politics, business and self education, Ōtara Panthers under the guidance of Tigilau Ness, Tama Niuē kaina ki Mutalau ulalauta, continue to have our own voice without being bought off by the colonial system, to keep us docile as a lamb to try to water down the Mana of the people that came before us.

We stand uncolonisable and ready to die for the future or our tamariki!

From the Pacific we rise!✊🏽

-Mr A.Jackson