About the Springbok tour
The tour that went on for 56 days, it spilt families and friendships and stripped the nations status in the world. This is the tour which showed the world another side of New Zealand, with violent protest and chaotic riots from people who were thought to be peaceful and loving. This is the tour which changed the worlds perception of New Zealand, as Anti-tour protestors fought recklessly towards breaking the Apartheid in South Africa. Throughout these 56 days we see how significant the affect was on New Zealanders, we see the dark side of New Zealand's history but we also see how much opportunity the tour has provided for the nation. Equality was found due to the actions of protestors not only in South Africa for the black majority but also for the Maori majority in New Zealand.
What actually happened during the 1981 springbok tour in New Zealand?
On September 12th 1980, the Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (N.Z.R.F.U) Ron Don, formally invited the South African rugby team to come tour in New Zealand. However, many new zealanders throughout the nation were strongly against letting South Africa tour New Zealand, because of there racial policy 'Apartheid.' This in turn provoked disputes among the nation, as rugby was a very popular sport in the country. This lead to the first organised mass protest on May 1st 1981, which took place throughout the whole country. Those who opposed the tour and apartheid were encouraged to protest and voice out their opinions. This was not only influenced by worldwide condemnation of South Africa, but also by the racist attitudes of European New Zealanders towards the Maori population in New Zealand during the 80s. The leading organisation which planned these protest were HART (Halt All Racist Tours) and its leader John Minto, an activist group which only had one reason for its existence; dismantling the racial apartheid in South Africa. These mass protest set the stage for more conflict and forced new zealanders to choose anti-tour or pro-tour sides, which therefore made new zealanders realise that equal opinions of rugby was all but an illusion.
On May 14th the prime minister of New Zealand, Robert Muldoon was presented with an ultimatum by the Commonwealth Bank, which was to either cancel the tour or lose the rights to hosting the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Conference that was due to take place in Auckland. This was a difficult decision because if Muldoon went ahead and cancelled the tour, then that would discontent the new zealanders who wanted the tour to proceed. As many throughout the nation thought that 'Politics should not mix with sports,' but if Muldoon had proceeded with the tour then New Zealand would lose a major company's financial support, which would impact on New Zealand's economy. On 10th of July the NZRFU had an official meeting for the last time to decide whether the tour should proceed or be cancelled. But even after reconsidering the tour, the decision was made to still let the Springboks tour New Zealand. After much arguing the Springbok team arrive in New Zealand at the Auckland airport on the 19th of July, which provoked excitement from the pro-tour supporters and the anti-tour protesters to prepare for the conflicts and violence that had yet to come.
On the 22nd of July, the Springboks played there first match against Poverty Bay in Gisborne. The Springboks won 24-6, during this match the anti-tour protesters made there debut as they confronted the pro-tour supporters. This major protest caused a huge amount of anger and violence to erupt between both sides. As protesters voiced out their strong perspectives to stop the tour, more conflict broke out and many new zealanders had changed from anti-tour to pro-tour or the other way around as well as more people were forced to get involved by taking part in all this conflict. 3 days later on the 25th of July the Springboks played their second game against Waikato in Hamilton. But was later cancelled, because hundreds of anti-tour protesters had invaded the pitch. Great violence broke out for the pro-tour supporters who were looking forward to the match, there was huge concern after a rumour was spread throughout the crowd, that a light aircraft was stolen from Taupo and was planned to head for the Hamilton stadium. Officials of the rugby union were worried so they had decided that the best course of action was to cancel the match for everyone's safety. This enraged supporters but was a very fortunate outcome for the anti-tour protesters, which made them more determined and more resolved for their fight in breaking the racial apartheid in South Africa.
On the 22nd of July, the Springboks played there first match against Poverty Bay in Gisborne. The Springboks won 24-6, during this match the anti-tour protesters made there debut as they confronted the pro-tour supporters. This major protest caused a huge amount of anger and violence to erupt between both sides. As protesters voiced out their strong perspectives to stop the tour, more conflict broke out and many new zealanders had changed from anti-tour to pro-tour or the other way around as well as more people were forced to get involved by taking part in all this conflict. 3 days later on the 25th of July the Springboks played their second game against Waikato in Hamilton. But was later cancelled, because hundreds of anti-tour protesters had invaded the pitch. Great violence broke out for the pro-tour supporters who were looking forward to the match, there was huge concern after a rumour was spread throughout the crowd, that a light aircraft was stolen from Taupo and was planned to head for the Hamilton stadium. Officials of the rugby union were worried so they had decided that the best course of action was to cancel the match for everyone's safety. This enraged supporters but was a very fortunate outcome for the anti-tour protesters, which made them more determined and more resolved for their fight in breaking the racial apartheid in South Africa.
On the 27th of July, the government in New Zealand announced to the whole nation that even after the protesters successfully stopped the match, they would not back down against the violent protests and allows the New Zealand police force to have the assistance of the army force is required when the situation with violent protesters get too out of hand. This made pro-tour supporters more stronger with the government on their side, but this did not discourage the anti-tour protesters as it only made more people aware at how serious the tour was getting and made them realise that the nation was really divided. 2 days later on the 29th of July, anti-tour protest outside Parliament in Wellington reached a new found level of violence which became widely known as the 'Battle of Molesworth street.' Protesters were met at the northern end of Molesworth street as police with batons ordered them to retreat, but the crowd ignored them and surged forward intending to push the police back. The police then panicked and rapidly hurled their batons violently towards the protestants, but still protesters fought on ahead while being violently attacked by police and was provoked to use violence in that situation. It was this very important event that not only polarised Wellington, but also influenced protesters to become even stronger and not be affected by this violence, "Police expected to bash people, and were issued with the long PR24 batons and long shields. It made me even more determined to play my part to stop the tour," from Diane Moore who was involved in the Battle of Molesworth street.
On July the 31st, Prime Minister Robert Muldoon threatened to call a snap election (an earlier than expected election) as the tolerance levels of the government officials had more than enough of the anti-tour violence that continued to escalate even after all the warnings they had received. On August the 1st the Springboks played there second rugby match after the Hamilton game was cancelled. They played the Manawatu team in Palmerston North, the Springboks won 31-19. Following this victory they played the Otago team in Dunedin on the 11th of August, the Springboks one again won with 17-13 to Otago. As this was the last rugby match played before the official test matches against the All Blacks, the Springbok were confident that after these victories they would have many more good matches. But as they were getting ready to compete against there rivals, John Minto the leader of HART did not back down after all the warnings and instead he organised more protest which caused trouble for all the test matches. On the 13th of August, Protesters set fire to the Christchurch rugby park grandstand because the activist group had suspected that the Springboks were training on the rugby grounds. This made government officials enraged at how critical the situation was and that anti-tour protest were getting too out of hand.
On the15th of August, the springboks played there first international test match against the All Blacks. The result of this match was a successful victory on our side as the Springboks were beaten 14-9. As pro-tour supporters cheered with excitement, the anti-tour protesters rapidly occupied the rugby grounds. Protesters violently fighting against the barbed wire fences that lined the field, they had planned to once again stop the match from happening. But unfortunately they police did not back down, and as a result these violent actions from both sides the rugby supporters went wild with rage and started throwing whatever they could at who ever was there. It was said that police saved many protesters from serious injuries and were not the enemy at this match. 2 weeks later after the fierce conflicts that broke out in the last test match, the springboks were due to play there second official test match in Wellington on the 29th of August. Anti-tour protesters had intended to take a firm stand, as heavy protest flooded the streets of Wellington throughout the day. Over 7000 protesters marched into central Wellington, protesters had taken on an aggressive stance by blocking the main motorways, roads, and all pedestrian access to the stadium. Anti-tour protesters had taken it too far by blocking the entrances, so police responded and formed wedges through the crowd to let rugby spectators into the rugby park. Protesters fought as they were being moved and dragged away from the entry ways, pro-tour supporters lashed out at them with there fists or boots. Police once again had to maintain the barrier between the two sides, neither had stopped which resulted in the police having to use their batons as the violence escalated. And what pro-tour supporters thought would be another victory ended in defeat as the Springboks won 24-12.
On the 12th of September 1981, was the third and final test match to be played in the Springbok tour of New Zealand. The match was due to take place in Auckland, and crowds at the grounds were at their most violent out of all the matches played. Protesters went to the extreme as they organised a Cessna light aircraft to drop flour bombs and smoke bombs onto the stadium from above. Protesters were determined to stop the match, but union officials were angered by how those actions would put the players in danger of being injured. Fighting was also happening outside the grounds as well, the police fought against the ruthless protesters as they tried everything to stop the game from continuing. But their efforts we futile as the game proceeded, and the All Blacks resulted in a close victory of 25-22. For anti-tour protesters this ended in misfortune as they were unable to achieve their goal; to stop the tour. Pro-tour supporters were content with this match win by New Zealand, but protesters still would never change how they felt about this racist tour. And after the last match, on the 13th of September the Springboks departed from the Auckland airport and left New Zealand. The Springbok tour came to an end but was never forgotten among new zealanders, for 56 days there was conflict, and violence which left our nation divided. For some the tour was a glorious period in New Zealand's history, but for others it was a very dark and disagreeable time filled with racism and hatred in our nation.