Background
The 1981 Springbok Tour was a momentous time in New Zealand’s history and has been the subject of much debate since. When New Zealanders became aware of the harsh treatment the ‘Black’ Africans received due to the apartheid system that was implemented into South African society, many people sought to stop the tour. In 1981, the 1976 Soweto Uprising was still in the minds of many New Zealanders. This event was symbolic of the relations between the White and Black South Africans at the time.
The contested event of allowing the tour to go ahead, led to a nation bitterly divided to those who were pro-tour and those that were anti-tour. The passion of Rugby throughout New Zealand, being its national sport, meant that a significant majority of people were opinionated on the issue. However during the year of 1981, the sport had taken a step out of the spot light and had made way for more important current international affairs going on at the time. Rather, 1981 was a year of politics and solving the social problems that countries on the other side of the world were facing. 1981 was New Zealand's year to show, on an international scale, that it had a strong perspective on contemporary issues and that they were ready to stand up against the injustices across the world at any cost.
With more than 150,000 people involved in over 200 protests in 28 of New Zealand’s city and town centres. The end of the tour saw around 1500 people charged with offenses involved with the protests.
The anti-tour protesting in New Zealand, led by John Minto and HART (Halt all Racist Tours) saw the largest mobilizations in the history of New Zealand protest movements since the 1951 Waterfront dispute. For 56 days in July, August and September 1981, New Zealand was divided in a bitter moral debate.
There were a range of key causes that led to the 1981 Springbok Tour and from the event, New Zealand faced a list on consequences that significantly impacted on New Zealand society.
The contested event of allowing the tour to go ahead, led to a nation bitterly divided to those who were pro-tour and those that were anti-tour. The passion of Rugby throughout New Zealand, being its national sport, meant that a significant majority of people were opinionated on the issue. However during the year of 1981, the sport had taken a step out of the spot light and had made way for more important current international affairs going on at the time. Rather, 1981 was a year of politics and solving the social problems that countries on the other side of the world were facing. 1981 was New Zealand's year to show, on an international scale, that it had a strong perspective on contemporary issues and that they were ready to stand up against the injustices across the world at any cost.
With more than 150,000 people involved in over 200 protests in 28 of New Zealand’s city and town centres. The end of the tour saw around 1500 people charged with offenses involved with the protests.
The anti-tour protesting in New Zealand, led by John Minto and HART (Halt all Racist Tours) saw the largest mobilizations in the history of New Zealand protest movements since the 1951 Waterfront dispute. For 56 days in July, August and September 1981, New Zealand was divided in a bitter moral debate.
There were a range of key causes that led to the 1981 Springbok Tour and from the event, New Zealand faced a list on consequences that significantly impacted on New Zealand society.