Springbok rugby tour protest in Dunedin

item details

NameSpringbok rugby tour protest in Dunedin

ProductionAllan Cumming; photographer; 11 August 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: 130mm (width), 101mm (height)

Registration NumberO.050744

Credit lineGift of Allan Cumming, 2021

Overview

This photograph shows a row of protesters in front of a row of police holding long batons during protests in Dunedin on 11 August 1981 when the South African Springbok rugby team played Otago on its tour of New Zealand.

The Springbok Rugby 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. The elite police Red Squad were the most feared for their violent tactics, including unsanctioned use of their PR24 batons, which were not permitted to be used above the chest. Protesters wore helmets to protect themselves from batons and missiles thrown by rugby supporters.