By batons and barbed wire

Title: By batons and barbed wire

Photographer(s): Various photographers

Writer(s): Tom Newnham

Designer(s): Megan Jenkison

Publisher(s): Real Pictures Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand

Year: 1981

Print run:

Language(s):English

Pages: 96

Size: 23 x 24 cm

Binding: Softcover

Edition:

Print:

Nation(s) and year(s) of Protest: New Zealand,1981

ISBN:

The 1981 South African rugby tour (known in New Zealand as the 1981 Springbok Tour, and in South Africa as the Rebel Tour) polarised opinions and inspired widespread protests across New Zealand. The controversy also extended to the United States, where the South African rugby team continued their tour after departing New Zealand.  

Despite the controversy, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) decided to proceed with the tour. The government of Prime Minister Robert Muldoon was called on to ban it, but decided that commitments under the Gleneagles Agreement did not require the government to prevent the tour, and decided not to interfere due to their public position of "no politics in sport". Major protests ensued, aiming to make clear many New Zealanders' opposition to apartheid and, if possible, to stop the matches taking place. This was successful at two games, but also had the effect of creating a law and order issue: whether a group of protesters could be allowed to prevent a lawful game taking place