A country divided — 1981 Springbok Tour

For 56 days in July to September 1981, New Zealanders were divided against each other because of the Springbok rugby tour. Explore our online exhibition of photos and cartoons about the 1981 Springbok tour from the Alexander Turnbull Library collections.

Evening Post

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Victoria University street theatre group, Wellington, New ZealandDemonstration against a South African rugby tour, Kate Sheppard Place, Thorndon, WellingtonDemonstrators protesting against a South African rugby tour, WellingtonAnti Springbok tour demonstration on Lower Watt Street, Wadestown, WellingtonGeoffrey Walker arranging placards for use during an anti-Springbok tour demonstration in WellingtonAnti-Springbok tour demonstration, Willis Street, WellingtonDemonstrators facing a row of police officers - Photograph taken by Ian MackleyPolicemen in riot helmets standing on Rugby Park, Hamilton, during the Springbok rugby tour - Photograph taken by Ian MackleyPolice struggle with demonstrators, Hamilton - Photograph taken by Ian MackleyProtestors and police officers at Rugby Park, Hamilton - Photograph taken by Phil ReidPolice and tour protesters on Rugby Park, Hamilton - Photograph taken by Phil ReidProtesters in Hamilton during a demonstration against the 1981 Springbok tour - Photograph taken by Phil ReidKaren Brough, injured during an anti Springbok rugby tour demonstration in Wellington - Photograph taken by Ian MackleyAnti-tour protestors and police in Molesworth Street, Wellington - Photograph taken by Ian MackleyPolice and a barbed wire barricade at Invercargill's Rugby Park - Photograph taken by Stuart MenziesDemonstrators against the Springbok rugby tour turn away from police in Cuba Street, Palmerston North - Photograph taken by Don ScottAnti-apartheid demonstrator Daniel Morgan-Lynch at Parliament Buildings, Wellington - Photograph taken by Peter AveryBarbed wire protecting a rugby groundProtesters on Hill Street, Wellington, marching during a demonstration against the 1981 Springbok tourPercy Bush, uncle of the captain of the New Zealand Maori rugby team, standing by police as anti-apartheid demonstrators march byAnti Springbok rugby tour graffiti, Wellington - Photograph taken by Don ScottScuffle between a policeman of the Red Squad and anti Springbok rugby tour demonstrators in Wellington - Photographs taken by Peter AveryWoman reacting to police violence, Wellington, New Zealand - Photograph taken by Peter AveryRace relations conciliator Mr Hiwi Tauroa, and the Mayor of Auckland Mr Colin Kaye leading an anti-apartheid march through AucklandAnti Springbok tour demonstrators overturn a car, Auckland, New Zealand - Photograph taken by an Auckland Star photographer

Mark Hantler

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Crowd of protesters, some seated, police officer in foregroundCrowd of protesters, some seatedGroup of protestersProtesters with "Stop the Tour" bannerProtesters standing with linked hands in front of a police lineProtesters standing with linked hands in front of a police lineGroup of men on footpath outside bar watching protest, Palmerston NorthThree men on footpath outside bar watching protest, Palmerston NorthTelevision crew interviewing men on footpath outside bar, Palmerston NorthCounter-protesters with sign beginning "The BIG LIE"Masked protester with "Smash Racist Boks" signCounter-protesters with sign beginning "The cost of mob force"Protest group with "Stop the Tour" banner, Palmerston NorthLine of police wearing helmets and carrying batons, Palmerston NorthView from above of protest marchers with union banners walking past James Smith's, WellingtonPoliceman facing camera, protesters walking past behind himClose-up of line of police, one holding megaphone, Palmerston NorthProtest march with "Women Against Racism" banner, WellingtonGroup of police moving forward in street holding batonsProtest line and police line facing each other in streetFive police moving forward in street holding batonsCar upside down in street in front of Sonny Knitwear buildingProtesters facing police in a streetPolice and costumed protesters in the streetPolice and costumed protesters lined up on footpathGroup of protesters with signs, including "Liberation Soon Come"Line of police in streetGroup of protesters including a man on crutchesLine of police behind fencing on a railway lineGroup of protesters led by man with microphoneLarge group of protesters, some with "Gays for Freedom" bannerLine of police in streetProtesters with "Stop the Tour" banner on the tarmac at Wellington Airport

Cartoons

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Brockie, Bob, 1932- :Apartheid. Stop the tour. 4 August 1981.Brockie, Robert Ellison, 1932- :[Muldoon's policy on apartheid]. National Business Review, 16 March 1981.Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :Aren't you pinning this on the wrong bloke. 22 July 1981.Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :Moment of truth. Auckland Star 1 July 1981.Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king... 15thC proverb... Just guide me onto the the 1981 re-election road... N.Z.R.F.U. The Tour. The Government. Freedom. New Zealand's international reputation. 11 July 1981.Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :New Zealand [and] the tour. 12 September 1981.Heath, Eric Walmsley 1923- :Now look what you've done! I told you not to mention the tour. 9 September 1981.Heath, Eric Walmsley, 1923- :'Keep the protestors out?' 'No - the Boks!' 12 August 1981.Lynch, James, 1947-:Acronomious Unanimous! (A.U.). 10 August 1981Heath, Eric Walmsley 1923-:Government's stand on the tour. The Dominion, 18 May 1981.Heath, Eric, 1923- :The Tour. Political advantage. 3 August 1981.Lynch, James, 1947-: NZRFU. 18 August 1980Lynch, James, 1947-:"It may have been a bad experience folks but I'm sure you'll agree that there were some important principles at stake here!" 21 September 1981Lynch, James, 1947-:So the continuing saga of "The Tour" goes on... and on... 27 July 1981Lynch, James, 1947-:"Fancy seeing you here!" 23 March 1981Ball, 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 also minister of police has anything to do with the present situation in this country. [1981].

Ans Westra

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Springbok Tour demonstrationsSpringbok Tour demonstrationsSpringbok Tour demonstrationsSpringbok Tour demonstrationsSpringbok Tour demonstrationsSpringbok Tour demonstrationsSpringbok Tour demonstrations

Feature image — Barbed wire protecting a rugby ground, 1981, by Evening Post staff photographer. Ref: EP/1981/2842/2-F. Alexander Turnbull Library.