New Zealand Police College, Porirua

item details

NameNew Zealand Police College, Porirua

ProductionSteve Mitchell; photographer; August 1981; New Zealand
Kodak Australia Ltd; manufacturer; 1981; Australia

Classificationcolour slides, colour transparencies

Materialsreversal film, cut film, photographic gelatin, cardboard

Materials SummaryColour transparency in cardboard mount

Techniqueschromogenic processes, colour photography, Ektachrome (TM)

DimensionsOverall: 50mm (width), 50mm (height)

Registration NumberCT.076321

Credit lineGift of Steve Mitchell, 2021

Overview

This image shows the newly opened Police College in Porirua, Wellington, in 1981. The photograph was taken by former police officer Steve Mitchell who 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 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.