Auckland War Memorial Museum will present a new exhibition that examines a newspaper created to amplify Māori and Pacific voices during a period of intense social and political change in Aotearoa from 1977-78. Mana: Protest in Print is open from Saturday 14 December.
Launched in June 1977, Mana served as a groundbreaking platform for Māori and Pacific perspectives. The paper published articles in Māori, English, Samoan, Niuean, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Rotuman and Fijian. Published fortnightly, Mana shared news relevant to Māori and Pacific people and advocated for social justice at a time when mainstream media largely ignored these communities. It also provided connection and visibility for events, arts, profiles and other important information for Māori and Pacific communities.
While the paper’s print run was brief, ending in May 1978, the impact of Mana on New Zealand’s media landscape and its role in civil rights and protest movements in Aotearoa was significant. Its publication ensured that communities had access to important information in their own languages, contributing to the preservation and celebration of Pacific and Māori identities during a pivotal moment in Aotearoa’s history.
During its time, Mana was also instrumental in covering the occupation of Takaparawhau Bastion Point, a defining moment in the history of Māori land rights activism. Detailed reporting from Mana helped amplify the voices of protestors, drawing attention to the broader issues of Indigenous land sovereignty.
Mana: Protest in Print will feature original copies of the newspaper, photographs, and personal stories from those involved in the newspaper’s creation. Visitors will gain insight into the cultural and historical context Mana emerged from, the challenges faced by the newspaper’s contributors, and the community’s collective efforts to sustain this crucial voice.
Mana: Protest in Print has been curated by Wanda Ieremia-Allan, Associate Curator Documentary Heritage (Pacific Collections); Andrea Low, Associate Curator, Contemporary World; and Paula Legel, Associate Curator, Heritage Publications.
The exhibition is free with Museum entry
