Police retreating during Springbok Tour protest

item details

NamePolice retreating during Springbok Tour protest

ProductionAllan Cumming; photographer; 12 September 1981; New Zealand

Classificationgelatin silver prints, black-and-white prints

Materialssilver, photographic gelatin, photographic paper

Materials SummaryBlack and white photograph, gelatin silver print

Techniquesblack-and-white photography

DimensionsImage: 243mm (width), 167mm (height)

Registration NumberO.045184

Credit lineGift of Aylza Donald in memory of Jacques Monroe, 2017

Overview

This photograph shows police officers retreating from missiles being thrown at them on the day of the last rugby test of the Springbok Rugby Tour on 12 September 1981 in Auckland.

The Springbok Tour of 1981 was a seminal event in New Zealand's political and social history - exposing deep rifts in society. Many New Zealanders objected to the tour because of South Africa's policy of racial apartheid, and many questioned racism at home. Protests caused obstruction and the cancellation of games, and violence escalated between protesters, supporters and police during the tour.

Protests were particularly violent on the day of the last test. Fighting erupted in the streets surrounding Eden Park between police, supporters and protesters. Rocks, missiles and batons injured many people.