Springbok Tour 1981

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library of New Zealand Topics

Protests against the South African rugby team touring New Zealand divided the country in 1981. Discover the reasons behind this civil disobedience, as well as the demonstrations, police actions and the politics of playing sports. SCIS no. 1809122

social_sciences, english, history

Protesters in Hamilton during a demonstration against the 1981 Springbok tour - Photograph taken by Phil Reid

Alexander Turnbull Library

Anti-tour protestors and police in Molesworth Street, Wellington - Photograph taken by Ian Mackley

Alexander Turnbull Library

Okay, step forward any lyin' commy…,

Ball, Murray Hone, 1939-2017 :Okay, step forward any lyin' commy who says that the fact that I support the South African apartheid system and am al...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Try revolution

This Leanne Pooley-directed film aims to show how the events of the 1981 Springbok tour in Aotearoa played out in South Africa.

Try Revolution

NZ On Screen

Article

The 1981 Springbok rugby tour

The 1981 Springbok rugby tour - 1981 Springbok tour

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Sports and politics

Government and sport

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Red Squad and anti- tour demonstrators

Scuffle between a policeman of the Red Squad and anti Springbok rugby tour demonstrators in Wellington - Photographs taken by Peter Avery

Alexander Turnbull Library

Springbok Tour protest programme

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Protest badges - 1981

Protest badges - 1981 Springbok tour

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

School children protesting

School children protesting, 1981 Springbok tour

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Young anti-springbok tour protester

Anti-Springbok tour demonstration

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Article

Tour diary - 1981 Springbok tour

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Other

Blazey discussing the 1981 Springbok tour

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Anti-Springbok tour protest reflects on thirty years since first game

Anti-tour protestor reflects on thirty years since first game

Radio New Zealand

John Miller has documented M¬āori protest since the 1970's, including the Springbok Tour.

The Photographer John Miller, the Protestor, Gerard Dobson

Radio New Zealand

T-shirt, 'No Tour'

This T-shirt was made for protestors to wear during the Springbok rugby tour of 1981.

'No Tour' T-shirt

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Video

1956 rugby ball and John Minto helmet

Features the protester John Minto's helmet from Springbok rugby tour protests.

1956 rugby ball and John Minto helmet from Te Papa

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Barbed wire barrier protecting a rugby ground from anti-Springbok tour protestors.

Barbed wire protecting a rugby ground

Alexander Turnbull Library

TV movie Rage recreates the 1981 Springbok tour, which saw violent clashes between protestors and police.

Rage

NZ On Screen

Patu!, 1983

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

New Zealand 1981 South Africa 2013

Murdoch, Sharon Gay, 1960- :In Memoriam - New Zealand 1981 South Africa 2013. 14 December 2013

Alexander Turnbull Library

Woman protestor angered by police batoning demonstrators during a Springbok rugby tour protest

Woman reacting to police violence, Wellington, New Zealand - Photograph taken by Peter Avery

Alexander Turnbull Library

These records are part of a July 1981 petition to Robert Muldoon, then-Prime Minister of New Zealand, calling for the Springbok rugby team to be refused entry into the country.