The Aftermath
Significance To New Zealanders Despite the tour concluding and the Springboks leaving our shores our shores New Zealand continue to be effected by the 1981 tour long after it finished. There were a number of social economical and political causes that affected our small nation. One of the many social consequences of the tour was the social divide. There was a split in New Zealand society because of the strong differing opinions that surrounded the tour. Many argue that this split occurred prior to the tour, but even if it had, the actions that took place during the tour highlighted just how divided society was. Not only was the split between supporters and protesters but often it was between rural kiwis and the urban New Zealanders. The kiwis living in rural New Zealand were not interested in what was going on in other countries, they just wanted to watch rugby. But on the other hand urban New Zealanders saw what was happening overseas and wanted to get involved. As the violent clashes between the two groups increased society further split and numerous relationships between kiwis were left in tatters. Another social consequence of the tour was surrounding international race relations, with the issue of racism coming to light in New Zealand issues of mis- treating the Maori were publicized. The Maori felt that the New Zealand public cared more about what happened to the Black South Africans than what happened to the Maori people, as they could see many similarities between their treatment and those in South Africa. As a result of this many Maori wanted action around their own rights and felt they deserved special treatment due to living in New Zealand. Kiwis were so caught up in this international ordeal they forgot about our domestic race relations, and because of this Maori took action. In 1984 there was the Te Hikoi March and numerous celebrations were interrupted including Waitangi day. The Maori people also called for changes to the Treaty of Waitangi and labeled it the 'dirty dealings' of 1840. |
From Top to bottom, The cartoon depicts the idea of how the nation was divided into two clear groups, and the bottom picture is of Maori activists in the Te Hikoi March
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The way the tour went down had a strong effect on the mindset of the younger generation. They began protesting far more regularly over all kinds of political issues. They began Anti Nuclear campaigns, protested against the Homosexual laws, and in general the protests were very successful. The people and government now realised that the power lay with the people and that they now had a major say in how society was.
On top of these social consequences were the economical consequences. As we know the tour resulted in widespread physical and mental damage to kiwis but it also had monetary consequences. The national government spent twenty times more than the coalition of the four major protests groups, they also had a 2.7million NZD bill to pay, compared to just $127,108 for the coalition. The coalition shows the support and generosity of the anti-tour supporters and the passion and invested feeling they had in the protests. The government costs mainly associated around policing resulted in almost 2000 arrests being made on protesters, which may explain the costs to the government. Complaints mainly against police brutality were made by over 300 people, which the police eventually decided were mostly unjustified. The way in which the police investigated the complaints made shows just how little attention they gave the protesters and how the government was more focused on staying in charge than running the country.
These social and economical effects no doubt would have influenced the political sector in New Zealand. After the tour the people wanted a change and this was reflected in the elections after the tour. Many are of the opinion that Muldoon gave the tour the go ahead for his own benefits, just to staying in parliament. Muldoon target those people from rural New Zealand and gave them what they wanted, rugby. Muldoon was selfish in his actions and ironically he was ignoring his own slogan of “no politics in sport. By using the tour to promote himself. As we know Muldoon was successful in the 1981 elections but he lost in a “land slide” in 1984. Some believe he lost the election because of how he handled the tour and that his loss had nothing to do with David Lange, however many believe they supported Lange because of his ideas. Labour leader David Lange, had a vision of a better New Zealand with more input from the people. This change in government had a significant impact on the people of New Zealand, and was a major contributor to the way in which New Zealand has progressed to this day. This Labour government was responsible for the anti-nuclear legislation that united New Zealand as a nation once again. This helped repair the relationships that had been damaged by the 1981 tour and I helped New Zealand move forward as a nation. |
Top to bottom, Robert Muldoon, and the following Prime minister David Lange
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The tour also affected the image of police in New Zealand. Following the tour many kiwis had a strong dislike toward any policemen and any member of the defence force. The kind of violence seen in the tour had only been seen a few times in our countries short history, and increased the public anger not only at the tour but Muldoon’s government as well.
Sadly as a result of the tour the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) suffered popularity blows, and people lost interest in rugby in general, many regard this a the only time our national sport was unpopular. This effected New Zealand rugby until the 1987 Rugby World Cup at which the All Black's were victorious. With this event rugby regained it's previous respect and popularity amongst New Zealanders. It was rugby that brought the nation back together which was a major contrast to the 1981 tour, which divided the nation.
Key Ideas
The 1981 Springbok tour had social, political and economic consequences that significantly impacted on the lives of New Zealanders. Not only has this significant historical event had profound impacts on Kiwis but New Zealand society as well. The clashes between supporters and rugby fans further increased the social divide between rural and urban, farmers and townies. The disagreement was not just about rugby, but it was about differences in opinion on a worldwide issue. Racial issues in New Zealand were also brought to light, as the Maori people felt as if they were forgotten. Maori went to the Waitangi Tribunal and discussed problems that had intensified since 1840. Both Pakeha and Maori used their new protest skills during protests surrounding homosexual rights and anti-nuclear movements. The economic effect of the tour was also significant; the fact that the government spent over $2.7million shows how desperate they were to gain the support. Muldoon thought this would result in a re election, but he ended up out of parliament and New Zealand government had serious debt. The change in government highlighted the change in public opinion over the significance of public action and the influence that New Zealand had on the world stage. Lange brought New Zealand back to the people of New Zealand. The people now controlled the government; the government did not control the people.
Sadly as a result of the tour the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) suffered popularity blows, and people lost interest in rugby in general, many regard this a the only time our national sport was unpopular. This effected New Zealand rugby until the 1987 Rugby World Cup at which the All Black's were victorious. With this event rugby regained it's previous respect and popularity amongst New Zealanders. It was rugby that brought the nation back together which was a major contrast to the 1981 tour, which divided the nation.
Key Ideas
The 1981 Springbok tour had social, political and economic consequences that significantly impacted on the lives of New Zealanders. Not only has this significant historical event had profound impacts on Kiwis but New Zealand society as well. The clashes between supporters and rugby fans further increased the social divide between rural and urban, farmers and townies. The disagreement was not just about rugby, but it was about differences in opinion on a worldwide issue. Racial issues in New Zealand were also brought to light, as the Maori people felt as if they were forgotten. Maori went to the Waitangi Tribunal and discussed problems that had intensified since 1840. Both Pakeha and Maori used their new protest skills during protests surrounding homosexual rights and anti-nuclear movements. The economic effect of the tour was also significant; the fact that the government spent over $2.7million shows how desperate they were to gain the support. Muldoon thought this would result in a re election, but he ended up out of parliament and New Zealand government had serious debt. The change in government highlighted the change in public opinion over the significance of public action and the influence that New Zealand had on the world stage. Lange brought New Zealand back to the people of New Zealand. The people now controlled the government; the government did not control the people.
Significance Internationally
The actions of New Zealanders during the 1981 Springbok tour were the first real physical protest action against international racism, and it had widespread effects. The media coverage of what was going on meant that people all around the world could see what was going on. The people of South Africa saw this and were given hope because they knew other people were fighting for their freedom from racial discrimination. Before the tour the actions of the commonwealth nations surround the situation in South Africa had been limited. The Commonwealth nations had stopped all sporting contact with South Africa, in an attempt to influence South African politics and policies. At the time sport was an important part of a countries identity and South Africa was no different. This angered many Afrikaners who saw no problem with current situation in their country, and they thought politics should have no influence on sport. The limiting of sporting contact was evident right up until the 1990's, with the exception being South African and New Zealand rugby tours of each nation respectively, notably the 1981 Springbok tour. The tours meant New Zealand's image was damaged, this was evident through the boycotting by many African nations of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada. The nations were frustrated by New Zealand's sporting contact and their seeming support of South Africa and decided they didn’t want to play sport with racists. The 1981 tour and protests showed the world what the New Zealand public really thought of apartheid and their own government's actions. It is well known that Nelson Mandela was the face behind the race for equality. Once he had been released from prison in early 1990 Mandela began working toward a peaceful and equal society. With the support of majority of his countrymen and the world Mandela became prime minister in 1984. Although the tour was not directly responsible for the abolishment of the apartheid, many believe it played a huge role in the fight for racial equality. The event put New Zealand back on the map as a nation and helped repair our reputation as a country. |
Above, a young white South African and a coloured boy about his age meet, and Nelson Mandela
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Key Ideas
It is clear the impact of the 1981 Springbok tour was felt not only on or shores but around the world, particularly in South Africa. The media coverage meant New Zealand put itself on the map and the world saw a country that was fighting for the rights of black people in South Africa. The 1981 tour and protests showed the world what the New Zealand public thought of apartheid and the actions of the government. And although the 1981 tour was not the reason for the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, it was the beginning of increased physical action against the wrong doings of the Afrikaan government. And all of the actions from countries as well as the pressure coming from within South Africa, those in charge had no choice but to create a racially equal society. The tour also put New Zealand back on the map as a nation that cared not only it self but for all people worldwide.
It is clear the impact of the 1981 Springbok tour was felt not only on or shores but around the world, particularly in South Africa. The media coverage meant New Zealand put itself on the map and the world saw a country that was fighting for the rights of black people in South Africa. The 1981 tour and protests showed the world what the New Zealand public thought of apartheid and the actions of the government. And although the 1981 tour was not the reason for the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, it was the beginning of increased physical action against the wrong doings of the Afrikaan government. And all of the actions from countries as well as the pressure coming from within South Africa, those in charge had no choice but to create a racially equal society. The tour also put New Zealand back on the map as a nation that cared not only it self but for all people worldwide.