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Protestors
As the tour began few realized just how strongly people felt about the tour, and just how a single tour would be remembered for years to come as the moment New Zealand lost it’s innocence as a nation. The anti- tour protests were lead by John Minto and his group HART, Minto became a household name in 1981. He had such a prolific impact on the tour that, the police batons were eventually named “Minto bars.” There were other groups such as CARE (Citizens Association for Racial Equality) and NAAC (National Anti-Apartheid Council) who all opposed the tour and featured in various protests.
The hostility shown to the Springboks begun on their flight to New Zealand, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, refused permission for the Springboks' aircraft to refuel in Australia. Instead the flight had to go via LA and Hawaii. And despite these mishaps and the growing international pressure to cancel the tour, the Springboks arrived on 19 July 1981.
Protestors
As the tour began few realized just how strongly people felt about the tour, and just how a single tour would be remembered for years to come as the moment New Zealand lost it’s innocence as a nation. The anti- tour protests were lead by John Minto and his group HART, Minto became a household name in 1981. He had such a prolific impact on the tour that, the police batons were eventually named “Minto bars.” There were other groups such as CARE (Citizens Association for Racial Equality) and NAAC (National Anti-Apartheid Council) who all opposed the tour and featured in various protests.
The hostility shown to the Springboks begun on their flight to New Zealand, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, refused permission for the Springboks' aircraft to refuel in Australia. Instead the flight had to go via LA and Hawaii. And despite these mishaps and the growing international pressure to cancel the tour, the Springboks arrived on 19 July 1981.
The tour began in Gisborne where the Springboks meet Poverty Bay. Despite this being the opening game of the tour, it was the clash between the anti- tour protestors and the pro-tour people that took center stage. A wide range of anti- tour protestors gathered, many from different unions and ethnic backgrounds. It was not the first time the unions had been involved in protests, these groups had been very prominent in events earlier in the century such as the 1913 Waterfront Strike. A few days before the game, anti-tour protestors took action, they snuck onto the pitch and covered it with broken glass. They did not stop there on the 22nd of July (the day of the game) around 300 protestors marched to a golf course near the venue of the game. The protestors then began destroying fences and barriers in front of them and they eventually go into the ground. The protestors then came face to face with those pro- tour, the confrontation quickly became violent and police were forced to intervene. This was the first act of defiance from the anti-tour protestors, it was also when people fully began taking sides, one women explains that because she was anti-tour “my uncle didn’t talk to me for ten years”. Springbok
Captain Wynand Classen recalls, "When we arrived in Gisborne we saw the protesters and when they dropped glass and other things on the playing field, we realised it was going to be quite tough...We were totally unprepared and I don't think even the New Zealanders knew it would be that intense." To view a video on the event the unfolded in Gisborne click here.
Following the match the Springboks travelled to Hamilton to play the current Ranfurly Shield holders, and as a result of what happened in Gisborne the entire country had their eyes fixed on Hamilton. The Rugby Union in Hamilton realized the potential for the match being disrupted and took extra precautions by blockading the ground. They then managed to get over 500 policemen on sight to keep things under control. Despite the best efforts of match organisers and the police, the dedication of the protestors meant they were able to break into the ground. The protestors purchased over 200 tickets and managed to make their presence felt inside the ground. Not only was their presence felt inside but a group of 5000 anti- tour protestors headed for Rugby Park, they managed to tear down the fences, but only 350 fought their way into the ground. When they got onto the pitch the protestors formed a circle and linked arms. They protestors were abused by the crowd and one explains ”It was terrifying, I don’t know how big the crowd was, but they were clearly furious – bottles and God knows what else were hurled at us, and people kept trying to get onto the pitch. The police looked vulnerable as they spread out around the whole ground.” The police then formed a cordon around them and attempted to slowly break up the group. About 50 protestors were arrested over an hour, and enough damage had been done by the protestors and the gam was canceled. Another reason officials called off the game was because there were rumors circulating that, Pat McQuarrie had stolen a light aircraft and was heading for the stadium. When the spectators heard the game was canceled they reacted aggressively, and again abused the protestors by throwing bottles, food, and yelling at them. The police eventually helped the protesters from the ground, with enraged spectators lashing out at them as they ran. This incident had ramification world wide, because all that went on at Rugby Park was shown on televisions worldwide, including back in South Africa.
On July 29 the tour moved to New Plymouth where the Springboks defeated Taranaki. But again it was not the rugby that took center stage, it was the protests. At around 5pm 2000 anti-tour protestors gathered and marched up Molesworth Street toward Parliament and toward the home of South Africa's consul to New Zealand. The police had established a position in Molesworth Street and declared that protestors were not to proceed up the street. While on the march the protestors were stopped by police armed with short batons. While some later explained explained the force from those at the back pushed them forward, the police saw this an act of defiance and reacted aggressively. The Police used their short batons to bloody many men and women, however some historians say it was simply an act of the police reinforcing their authority after the Hamilton disaster. Many of the protestors, some covered in blood, left the group and headed toward the police station to place assault charges. The nature of this incident meant the actions of those protestors and police had taken a turn for the worse. The protestors were outraged at the actions of the police and their anger was now also directed at the New Zealand police, which meant they increased the violence in their protests. The events that took place on Molesworth street were again seen nationally and internationally which continued the support of groups like HART who were in a sense fighting for racial equality. To see a video on the 'Molesworth street batoning' click here |
Top to bottom, protesters march across a golf course in Gisborne, a protester confronts a policeman in Gisborne, protesters occupy the pitch at Rugby Park, and a protester is covered in blood following the events on Molesworth street.
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The tour then moved onto Christchurch and again there was protest action. On the 15th of August before the first test, riot police were equipped to deal with the protesters. There were two groups of police, blue and red, and both had long batons ready to prevent the protestor entering the stadium. Sure enough an attempt was made by protesters to enter Lancaster Park, they tried from all angles but the protestors failed because of the strong police force, which scared many people because of what happen on Molesworth street. Many believed that it was miraculous nobody was killed during the tour, Pete Carrington, a member of the Blue Squad believed that if protestors had made it onto the park, there would have been fatalities. But the police stressed they were only keeping the peace and maintaining order as rugby supporters pelted protestors with blocks of concrete and full bottles of beer. Despite the off field dramas the All Blacks won the game 14-9. To see more on what happened surrounding the Christchurch test, click here.
Protests then occurred in in Wellington on the 29th of August as the second test match unfolded. Over 7000 protestors gathered in the city as they blocked Motorway exits and the roads to prevent rugby fans reaching Athletic Park. This action not only affected those rugby fans but majority of those in Wellington, and as a result of this there were many violent clashes between not only police and protestors, but the members of the public and the protestors. Sadly the batons were used and many protestors’ were dragged away injured. Police also reacted by forming human wedges to allow rugby fans through to the ground. It was said that the streets surrounding the ground resembled a battlefield. But inside the ground the visitors leveled the series by winning 24-12. |
The third and deciding test took place at Eden Park on the 12th of September. But sadly once again the off field drama took center stage, the protestors realised the tour was coming to an end so they wanted to make one last statement. They were angry and wanted to gain worldwide attention for the fight against racial injustice. The protestors were very organised and would stop at nothing to ensure a successful ending to the tour. Fighting then broke out as protestors blocked roads and streets leading to the ground, traffic jams were backed up all the way to the Harbour Bridge. Many commentators believe that the protesters were joined by opportunists who just wanted to fight the police. When the police came face to face with protestors they were pelted with rocks and missiles and retaliation was inevitable. Not only was the battle going on around Eden Park but above it as well, Marx Jones and Grant Cole hired a Cessna aero plane and flew over the ground dropping flower bombs and flares in an attempt to stop the game. In horrific conditions the game went ahead and All Black Prop Garry Knight was hit by a flower bomb, and went to hospital. Despite the fact that violence had descended on Nez Zealand’s largest city Peter Burke, the All Blacks manager described the event 'a magnificent game' and felt that the All Blacks had a 'job to do for New Zealand rugby and the rugby-loving people of New Zealand'. In the end the All Blacks won the game 25-22 and the series.
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In order, an All Black is down after being hit by a flower bomb, a protest plane flies very low over Eden Park and a short video of the final game of the tour.
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Key Ideas
The key people and groups involved in this movement helped the tour gain interest both nationally and internationally. Groups like HART encouraged all kiwis to come and stand against the “racist tour.” The protesters made their mark at every single game of the tour in, Gisborne, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and especially in Auckland. The protesters had support from many different people of different religions, races, and genders. By having such a unified and diverse group the protesters were able to successfully portray their ideas and message, that the tour should be stopped. As the protests continued violence broke out between the protesters, the rugby fans and the police. The numerous violent cases highlight just how strongly people felt about the tour, and in many cases friendships and families were split. The actions of the anti- tour protestors not only created a number of server consequences, including a social divided but it ultimately left a mark on New Zealand politics that would never be forgotten.
The key people and groups involved in this movement helped the tour gain interest both nationally and internationally. Groups like HART encouraged all kiwis to come and stand against the “racist tour.” The protesters made their mark at every single game of the tour in, Gisborne, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and especially in Auckland. The protesters had support from many different people of different religions, races, and genders. By having such a unified and diverse group the protesters were able to successfully portray their ideas and message, that the tour should be stopped. As the protests continued violence broke out between the protesters, the rugby fans and the police. The numerous violent cases highlight just how strongly people felt about the tour, and in many cases friendships and families were split. The actions of the anti- tour protestors not only created a number of server consequences, including a social divided but it ultimately left a mark on New Zealand politics that would never be forgotten.
Pro tour Actions- Opposition
Not only did the protestors take serious action but those rugby supporters and the pro- tour people also took action to help the tour. They were determined that the first Springbok visit to New Zealand since 1965 would not be spoiled. There was wide spread support from people right across the country who believed that politics and sport should not mix. It was widely though that those who supported the tour were racists, but this was not the case. They just believed that an issue in another country did not have a place in our society especially in our nations sport. This may seem selfish but the international issues were not publicized at all in New Zealand, so in a sense they were clueless as to what was taking place in South Africa.Majority of these hard rugby fans were from rural New Zealand towns, and were a part of the group that Muldoon was targeting to help him be re-elected. So naturally they supported Muldoon and his actions.
During the tour the actions of the pro tour movement were far less structured and organized than the protesters, they mostly acted in retaliation to what the protestors did. A prime example of this seen when the Hamilton game was canceled. They began chants of, ‘we want rugby! We want rugby!’ This was also the cue for a number of spectators to attack protesters with fists, boots, cans and bottles. Another example of the retaliation seen by the rugby fans occurred in Gisborne, when the protestors tore down fences, spectators and pro-tour supporters retaliated by kicking, punching and throwing projectiles at the protesters. There was a clear social split between supporters and protesters, and to a degree the rugby fans were a source of much of the violence that culminated in the extreme actions taken by the police to maintain order. The tour supporters created two groups, The Society For The Protection Of Individual Rights (SPIR) and War Against Recreational Disruption (WARD), these groups supported the tour, but not necessarily apartheid. SPIR was a group that actively opposed the ant- tour protestors. Members of the NZRU like Ces Blazey and Ron Don also helped the pro- tour movement. These people helped promote the support of the tour across the media, and thus sparked many arguments throughout the country. Despite supporting the tour, the tour supporters actually helped the anti-tour movement by publicizing the protest, and this publicity resulted in national and international consequences.
Despite many New Zealanders initially supporting the tour by the end many had changed their minds. The tour had resulted in numerous negative consequences for our nation and many blamed the government. And because of this in the 1984 elections as Muldoon was cast aside and Labour capitilised and won by “a land slide”.
Not only did the protestors take serious action but those rugby supporters and the pro- tour people also took action to help the tour. They were determined that the first Springbok visit to New Zealand since 1965 would not be spoiled. There was wide spread support from people right across the country who believed that politics and sport should not mix. It was widely though that those who supported the tour were racists, but this was not the case. They just believed that an issue in another country did not have a place in our society especially in our nations sport. This may seem selfish but the international issues were not publicized at all in New Zealand, so in a sense they were clueless as to what was taking place in South Africa.Majority of these hard rugby fans were from rural New Zealand towns, and were a part of the group that Muldoon was targeting to help him be re-elected. So naturally they supported Muldoon and his actions.
During the tour the actions of the pro tour movement were far less structured and organized than the protesters, they mostly acted in retaliation to what the protestors did. A prime example of this seen when the Hamilton game was canceled. They began chants of, ‘we want rugby! We want rugby!’ This was also the cue for a number of spectators to attack protesters with fists, boots, cans and bottles. Another example of the retaliation seen by the rugby fans occurred in Gisborne, when the protestors tore down fences, spectators and pro-tour supporters retaliated by kicking, punching and throwing projectiles at the protesters. There was a clear social split between supporters and protesters, and to a degree the rugby fans were a source of much of the violence that culminated in the extreme actions taken by the police to maintain order. The tour supporters created two groups, The Society For The Protection Of Individual Rights (SPIR) and War Against Recreational Disruption (WARD), these groups supported the tour, but not necessarily apartheid. SPIR was a group that actively opposed the ant- tour protestors. Members of the NZRU like Ces Blazey and Ron Don also helped the pro- tour movement. These people helped promote the support of the tour across the media, and thus sparked many arguments throughout the country. Despite supporting the tour, the tour supporters actually helped the anti-tour movement by publicizing the protest, and this publicity resulted in national and international consequences.
Despite many New Zealanders initially supporting the tour by the end many had changed their minds. The tour had resulted in numerous negative consequences for our nation and many blamed the government. And because of this in the 1984 elections as Muldoon was cast aside and Labour capitilised and won by “a land slide”.
Key Ideas
The pro tour movement was the opposition to those protestors who wanted to stop the tour. This was by no means an organised movement, rather rugby fans reacting to what the protesters did. Whenever protesters blocked roads or streets or tried to affect a game, supporters of the tour would react violently often by throwing cans, stones or bottles. The ruthlessness of the supporter showed how strongly New Zealanders felt about the tour and it highlighted the divide between the two groups. Not only did the supporters of the tour effect New Zealand but seeing that some kiwis supported the tour changed the way New Zealand was viewed by other nations.
The pro tour movement was the opposition to those protestors who wanted to stop the tour. This was by no means an organised movement, rather rugby fans reacting to what the protesters did. Whenever protesters blocked roads or streets or tried to affect a game, supporters of the tour would react violently often by throwing cans, stones or bottles. The ruthlessness of the supporter showed how strongly New Zealanders felt about the tour and it highlighted the divide between the two groups. Not only did the supporters of the tour effect New Zealand but seeing that some kiwis supported the tour changed the way New Zealand was viewed by other nations.