Interview: Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith and Brooklyn Taylor talk about Dawn Raid, The Apology

Pauline Smith (née Vaeluaga) is an author and an educationalist of Samoan, Tuvaluan, Scottish and Irish heritage. She trained as a teacher, later gaining a B.Ed. and lecturing at the University of Otago. Her first book, Dawn Raid, published in 2018, won the Best First Book at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and was picked up for publication in the USA by Levine Querido. Pauline writes full time and enjoys life with her husband Geoff in the beautiful seaside town of Riverton, Southland, NZ.

Brooklyn Taylor is Pauline Smith's grandson. They spent a lot of time talking about the dawn raids and how more education was needed, which led them to write this book together. Brooklyn is glad that Dawn Raid, The Apology will be published during his final year at high school.

Tell us a little about Dawn Raid, The Apology.

PS: Dawn Raid The Apology is the most recent addition to the Scholastic My New Zealand Story series. It is a companion text to Dawn Raid (published 2018). Both stories focus on the injustices and racism of the Dawn Raids in the 1970’s in Aotearoa. Set across time the books trace the journey of Sofia Savea from a 13-year-old in Dawn Raid to being a grandmother in The Apology where she works with her 14-year-old grandson Jeremy McRae and the Polynesian Panthers to seek a government apology. It is an educational and historical book wrapped around a warm family story and tinged with plenty of humour.

What inspired you to write this book?

PS: I never learnt about this important part of our history until I was in my 40’s. I was shocked that we could grow up in Aotearoa and not know which is what inspired me to write something for young people. I wanted the next generation to be more educated and informed.

BT: Personally, my inspiration came from my G-ma’s first book and also wanting to educate those who lacked knowledge on the subject.

What research was involved?

PS: A ton of researching, interviewing, fact checking and seeking permission was needed. It is of the utmost importance to get things right when it is about real people and events.

BT: Loads of interviews including the likes of Pele Walker, Honourable Aupito William Sio Labour MP, Honourable Carmel Sepuloni Labour MP, Honourable Grant Robertson Labour MP, Dr Liz Craig Member of Parliament, Tiumalu Noma Sio, Benji Timu, Josiah Tualamali’i, Toleafoa Ray Tuala.  We also had to gather information on the Covid 19 lockdown including the accurate dates of when it all happened, correct information on the alert levels, the counts of cases and a lot more.

What was your routine or process when writing this book?

PS:  I do A LOT of thinking outside of writing. Some of the best ideas come to me when my mind is on mundane everyday things like doing the dishes, knitting or gardening. The Apology was a collaboration with Brooklyn my grandson. Co-construction is such a wonderfully powerful way to create, and we found amazing value in this. It was so much fun tossing ideas around and it really lit us both up. Then we would separate off and do our individual parts

BT: A regular routine whilst writing this book included heading out to Aparima and spending the night, then working the whole next day on the book.

If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.

PS:  I LOVE this question and can’t wait to see what Brooklyn says here.

For me it will always be my walk on song Sweet Inspiration by the Yandall Sisters. Plus, Though We Are by Unity Pacific and Pepeha by Six60 and anything old school Māori eg Hoki Mai as this is sung around the campfire in the book. These will all give such a good vibe.

BT: I personally would include Time is running out by Unity Pacific as The New Zealand government took a long time to apologise for the Dawn raids and this song shows the urgency of addressing historical injustices before they’re forgotten. I would also include Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog because it’s about unfairness and people not being heard. This links to Dawn Raid The Apology because Pacific families were treated unfairly and had to fight to be recognised. The sound of the song also matches the serious tone of the story and the journey toward the apology.

If your book were made into a movie, who would you like to see playing the lead characters?

PS: Tough one as most the main characters are young people. I do see young versions of the amazingly talented James Rolleston and Julian Dennison.

For the adult Sofia – I would lean on the expertise of industry leaders to sort that.

What did you enjoy the most about writing this novel?

What did you enjoy the most about writing this novel?

PS: It was the most precious experience creating this book with Brooklyn. We spent days together during weekends and holidays which is a big ask for a teenage boy. Being creative is always a joy for me but being creative with the next generation is uplifting and just lovely.

BT: My favourite part of writing this was getting to spend all that nice quality time with my G-ma. 

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

PS: I have a really sucky sort of equestrian style happy dance which came out.

We celebrated together at the launch with family, friends and supporters.

BT: The infamous happy dance.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

PS:  Favourite Children’s book this year is Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey. I love fantasy worlds where anything is possible.

Favourite adult book is Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. It captured me at the opening paragraph, and I found it hard to tear myself away from.

BT: Dawn raid: The Apology (As it’s the only book i’ve read this year so far)

What’s next on the agenda for you?

PS: For me it’s all about talking with young people about the book and about becoming an author so I am hoping for lots of school visits.

Writing wise – I am working on some wider factual material about the Dawn Raids.

Plus, Brooklyn’s younger brother Ali (age 7) wants his turn at writing a book together.  Pretty special!

Scholastic New Zealand