item details
Sigma Print Limited; printer; 1981; Featherston
Overview
This souvenir programme for the opening of the new Police College in Porirua, Wellington in 1981, was given to former police officer Steve Mitchell for orientation purposes. He travelled to Wellington with his contingent to work during the controversial Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand which took place from July to September 1981. They stayed at the college, and worked on the day of the Springboks vs All Blacks game at Athletic Park, Wellington, on 29 August 1981.
The H.R.H. The Prince of Wales opened the Police College on 1 April 1981. The booklet describes the functions of the college, including training in law, police practice, race relations, detective training, search and rescue, hostage negotiation, etc.
Springbok tour
The Springbok tour 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.
Steve Mitchell was one of thousands of regular police who were mobilised around New Zealand for Operation Rugby (the police code name for the tour), demonstrating the government’s huge commitment to ensuring the tour proceeded.