Grand March Against Apartheid poster

This poster was designed and printed by artist Stanley Palmer who was part of Artists Against Apartheid (AAA), which formed in August 1981 in response to the Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand from July to September 1981.

The Springbok tour was a seminal event in New Zealand's political and social history, exposing deep rifts in society. Many people 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.

Artists Against Apartheid drew together artists from different disciplines (visual arts, music, theatre and writing) and relied on creative, less confrontational approaches to protesting against the tour, such as street theatre. They also created works to raise money for arrested protesters’ legal fees (about 2000 protesters were arrested during the tour).

AAA’s most significant public demonstration was the Grand March Against Apartheid in central Auckland on the night before the last rugby test in Auckland (which took place on 12 September 1981). Street theatre, music and performances helped create a carnival-like atmosphere.

Stanley Palmer's signature ‘A’ design can be seen on a variety of protest material and visual culture from this time, including large banners.

After the tour, AAA became Auckland Arts Action.