The Panthers

Season

2021

6.8

Inspired by The Black Panthers in the USA; a group of young radicals from New Zealand form The Polynesian Panthers.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Tahi

Recognizing a need for social change in response to the racial injustices against Maori and Pacific Islanders in Aotearoa (New Zealand) six young Pacific Islanders form the Polynesian Panther Party (PPP) in the early 1970s.

S1 • E2

Lua

It turns out the road isn't smooth, and that everything isn't simple. There are Polynesian gangs, with Ice being a notorious and cruel leader. There is the family and Will's attraction to Ice's woman who treats her badly. And there is another group struggling.

S1 • E3

Tolu

The Polynesian Panthers and guests dive deep into the New Zealand government's world. Muldoon is coming to power and there is a lot going on.

S1 • E4

A

Will finds himself in hot water between his love for Ice's ex and the corrupted police actions pushed on by Muldoon's politics to scapegoat and evict Polynesians, and the Panthers persuade him to go to Australia. But things are the same there and his activism sees him returned pretty quickly. Back home he finds himself in the backseat since his sister has taken the lead now.

S1 • E5

Nima

This is a hard time for the Pacific people living in Auckland and Will struggles but he is not the only one. The policeman who is now separated cannot get used to his new role on the sideline of his family and becomes unhinged. And trouble came from closer to the heart than Will had realised, Bo's.

S1 • E6

Ono

In the final episode the Panthers under Will's leadership, and including young politician Tim Shadbolt who would later become the Mayor of Invercargill. try to take on the police and then focus on the politics behind the dawn raids foisted on the pacific people living in Auckland, New Zealand. Kong, who was attacked, is now recovering.