Effect ON New Zealand Society
The Springbok Tour 1981 in New Zealand received much publicity and as a result, contributed largely to the breakdown of apartheid in South Africa. The protests in by the anti-apartheid movement successfully drew attention to the racist issues in South Africa. As a result, international countries were outraged, pressuring South Africa to change its policies. John Minto, says he has heard about how the disorder from 1981 in New Zealand impacted on Pretoria, South Africa. There, more blacks were becoming urbanised and joining trade unions. Due to both internal and external pressure, the government were more loose on some apartheid laws. Soon in 1990, the apartheid began collapsing. In the same year, Nelson Mandela was freed from prison and became the first black president of South Africa in 1994, in the first elections held under universal suffrage. This was a breakthrough for society and especially for the blacks of South Africa.
Not only did the Tour Protests bring about an end to apartheid in South Africa, but it created an increase awareness of racism in New Zealand society. For years, New Zealand spoke proudly of having 'the finest race relations in the world', however events that unfolded during the 1981 Springbok Tour challenged this statement - the claim was that Pakehas, while only too keen to fight apartheid in South Africa, were unwilling to confront the racism in New Zealand of which they are the beneficiaries. Through South Africa re-looking at the way their country viewed Black South Africans, New Zealand was forced to take a look at the way their own country was run. New Zealanders were forced to address Maori grievances and re-address the issues that arose in the colonisation of their country. Society was highly focused on the tour, with the majority of the country being anti-apartheid, meaning that a majority of the country wanted equal rights for all, including in their own country. The 1981 Springbok Tour Protests and ending of apartheid in South Africa eventually resulted in a change to the way we view Maori in today's society. During and after the Springbok Tour, thousands of Maoris saw Pakeha protestors' commitment to racial equality as untrue for they ignored the racism present in their own country. However despite this, the majority of Pakeha protestors only became involved in protest after the end of the tour, resulting in a turn of focus on Pakeha prejudice and Maori grievances still present and growing from the Treaty of Waitangi. A decade of Maori activism flourished through groups such as Nga Tamatoa and the Polynesian Panther Movement (PPM).
The 1981 Springbok Tour Protests also effected New Zealand society as the attitudes changed towards the Police force and people's attitude towards authority. "Suddenly the issue was no longer just a rugby tour, or apartheid. It was the politics of policing, the right to protest and the rule of law". With incidents such as the "Clowns Incident", Police authority was questioned and thus, questions of justice arose. As a result of such violent protests, two small police units commonly called the red squad and the blue squad were established to escort the Springboks. These squads were seen to protestors as "a representation of a brutal state of violence", whilst to others they were seen as "the upholding of law and order".
Long batons and new protective clothing were introduced, shocking many New Zealanders who were originally not used to such extreme measures of protection needing to be taken. As the tour progressed, and became more violent, police were equipped with longer batons, new helmets and riot shields. Each member of police had different views on the Springbok Tour, however all were required to complete their duties regardless, no exemptions were made. By the time the last match in Auckland's Eden Park arose, protests were so violent that a huge 40% the Nation's force were deployed for duty. In total the police spent an estimated $15 million on 'Operation Rugby'
Not only did the Tour Protests bring about an end to apartheid in South Africa, but it created an increase awareness of racism in New Zealand society. For years, New Zealand spoke proudly of having 'the finest race relations in the world', however events that unfolded during the 1981 Springbok Tour challenged this statement - the claim was that Pakehas, while only too keen to fight apartheid in South Africa, were unwilling to confront the racism in New Zealand of which they are the beneficiaries. Through South Africa re-looking at the way their country viewed Black South Africans, New Zealand was forced to take a look at the way their own country was run. New Zealanders were forced to address Maori grievances and re-address the issues that arose in the colonisation of their country. Society was highly focused on the tour, with the majority of the country being anti-apartheid, meaning that a majority of the country wanted equal rights for all, including in their own country. The 1981 Springbok Tour Protests and ending of apartheid in South Africa eventually resulted in a change to the way we view Maori in today's society. During and after the Springbok Tour, thousands of Maoris saw Pakeha protestors' commitment to racial equality as untrue for they ignored the racism present in their own country. However despite this, the majority of Pakeha protestors only became involved in protest after the end of the tour, resulting in a turn of focus on Pakeha prejudice and Maori grievances still present and growing from the Treaty of Waitangi. A decade of Maori activism flourished through groups such as Nga Tamatoa and the Polynesian Panther Movement (PPM).
The 1981 Springbok Tour Protests also effected New Zealand society as the attitudes changed towards the Police force and people's attitude towards authority. "Suddenly the issue was no longer just a rugby tour, or apartheid. It was the politics of policing, the right to protest and the rule of law". With incidents such as the "Clowns Incident", Police authority was questioned and thus, questions of justice arose. As a result of such violent protests, two small police units commonly called the red squad and the blue squad were established to escort the Springboks. These squads were seen to protestors as "a representation of a brutal state of violence", whilst to others they were seen as "the upholding of law and order".
Long batons and new protective clothing were introduced, shocking many New Zealanders who were originally not used to such extreme measures of protection needing to be taken. As the tour progressed, and became more violent, police were equipped with longer batons, new helmets and riot shields. Each member of police had different views on the Springbok Tour, however all were required to complete their duties regardless, no exemptions were made. By the time the last match in Auckland's Eden Park arose, protests were so violent that a huge 40% the Nation's force were deployed for duty. In total the police spent an estimated $15 million on 'Operation Rugby'
Significance To New Zealanders'
Historically it was an incredibly significant event in our past that involved the whole of New Zealand at some level, whether they were actively taking part in protests, members of anti-springbok tour groups, pro-tour supporters or just residents at home forming their opinion about the event- the fact was that everyone had an opinion and just about everyone was prepared to share theirs. The actions taken by New Zealanders went unnoticed by none and reached the attention of other nations and the consequences of the protests were far reaching. Negatively impacting family lives and communities, the protests saw fights emerge between once stable relationships and it is argued that New Zealand had never seen such civil unrest or disagreement. Most importantly the actions taken by protesters had a long lasting positive effect on the society of New Zealand, as we saw a change in government and the introduction of new socially just laws like a nuclear-free NZ and homosexual law reform-these things people were much more open to following the protests.
Groups like CARE also supported the return of Maori land by the government before and after the tour, and the number of Maori treaty claims being settled has skyrocketed since the 1980s. New Zealand society has grown more equal. Extra effort is put in to make sure than Maori and Pacifica students leave high school with qualifications; scholarships are offered for tertiary education. The Maori language is being ‘reintroduced’ to schools and young children, both Maori and Pakeha, and youth are learning about the importance of their cultural heritage.
The Springbok Tour may have not directly caused these factors, but it was at least partly responsible for many New Zealanders rethinking the issue of racism in New Zealand. Once people realized what they could do about apartheid overseas, many began to turn their attention back to New Zealand as well. The Springbok Tour in 1981 was of great significance to New Zealand in this respect.
Groups like CARE also supported the return of Maori land by the government before and after the tour, and the number of Maori treaty claims being settled has skyrocketed since the 1980s. New Zealand society has grown more equal. Extra effort is put in to make sure than Maori and Pacifica students leave high school with qualifications; scholarships are offered for tertiary education. The Maori language is being ‘reintroduced’ to schools and young children, both Maori and Pakeha, and youth are learning about the importance of their cultural heritage.
The Springbok Tour may have not directly caused these factors, but it was at least partly responsible for many New Zealanders rethinking the issue of racism in New Zealand. Once people realized what they could do about apartheid overseas, many began to turn their attention back to New Zealand as well. The Springbok Tour in 1981 was of great significance to New Zealand in this respect.
Key Historical Ideas
The 1981 Springbok Tour is one of the most significant events in New Zealands history in the last 50 years. It put us on the map as a nation that would not stand for inequality, both nationally and internationally. It created a new mindset amongst young people that there was more to life than rugby: the concept that ‘rugby is always right’ would not go unchallenged anymore. New Zealander's realized they could make a change in society for the good of others. The long term success of the tour protests was that it raised a politically-conscious generation and one that fought for what was beneficial for all, not just for some. This change in mindset led to further protest action in different parts of New Zealand society, including homosexual law reform and anti-nuclear protests.