Key Individuals and Groups:
Robert Muldoon:
Muldoon was the Prime Minister of the National Party government, first elected in 1975 and continuing this role until his retirement in 1984. He was in charge during the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand, and he supported the slogan "no politics in sport", refusing to stop the Springboks touring New Zealand. At the time, this was what kept Muldoon in government during the 1981 election. However, this was ultimately his downfall when he was voted out of government in 1984.
Muldoon was the Prime Minister of the National Party government, first elected in 1975 and continuing this role until his retirement in 1984. He was in charge during the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand, and he supported the slogan "no politics in sport", refusing to stop the Springboks touring New Zealand. At the time, this was what kept Muldoon in government during the 1981 election. However, this was ultimately his downfall when he was voted out of government in 1984.
John Minto:
Minto was the chairperson of the protest group HART (Halt All Racist Tours) during the 1981 Springbok Tour, therefore he had direct influence on the protests occurring during the Tour. Minto was at the heart of most of the protests happening across New Zealand. He was badly assaulted in the Hamilton match during the pitch invasion which resulted in the game being cancelled. Even today, Minto has continued leading many public protests and movements.
Minto was the chairperson of the protest group HART (Halt All Racist Tours) during the 1981 Springbok Tour, therefore he had direct influence on the protests occurring during the Tour. Minto was at the heart of most of the protests happening across New Zealand. He was badly assaulted in the Hamilton match during the pitch invasion which resulted in the game being cancelled. Even today, Minto has continued leading many public protests and movements.
Norman Kirk:
Kirk Was the Prime Minister of the Labour Party government, before Muldoon was elected as PM of the National Party government, from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. Kirk was the man who postponed the Springbok Tour of New Zealand in 1973, because he believed that it would result in the revolt of New Zealand citizens that would occur. However, Kirk's decision to can the Tour was likely to have been a reason contributing to Labours departure in the election in 1975.
Kirk Was the Prime Minister of the Labour Party government, before Muldoon was elected as PM of the National Party government, from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. Kirk was the man who postponed the Springbok Tour of New Zealand in 1973, because he believed that it would result in the revolt of New Zealand citizens that would occur. However, Kirk's decision to can the Tour was likely to have been a reason contributing to Labours departure in the election in 1975.
David Lange:
Lange was elected as Prime Minister in 1984, bringing the Labour Party government back into power. He replaced Muldoon's National Party government after action began to escalate with anti-nuclear protests. He took into consideration the peoples' opinions, much more than Muldoon did, seeing what was best for New Zealand as more consequential than what was best for his Labour government. Helen Clark said that "his lasting legacy was the introduction of the anti-nuclear legislation".
Lange was elected as Prime Minister in 1984, bringing the Labour Party government back into power. He replaced Muldoon's National Party government after action began to escalate with anti-nuclear protests. He took into consideration the peoples' opinions, much more than Muldoon did, seeing what was best for New Zealand as more consequential than what was best for his Labour government. Helen Clark said that "his lasting legacy was the introduction of the anti-nuclear legislation".
HART (Halt All Racist Tours):
HART was a protest group founded by John Minto, Trevor Richards, Tom Newnham and others to protest against the 1973 All Blacks tour of South Africa, but carried on their protests against South Africa right through until the early 90's when apartheid was canned in South Africa. In 1980, HART combined with NAAC (National Anti Apartheid Council), becoming HART:NAAC, creating a stronger and much more united response to all South African tours. HART:NAAC had a huge impact on raising awareness in New Zealand about apartheid, and was responsible for organising a majority of the protests that occurred in New Zealand.
HART was a protest group founded by John Minto, Trevor Richards, Tom Newnham and others to protest against the 1973 All Blacks tour of South Africa, but carried on their protests against South Africa right through until the early 90's when apartheid was canned in South Africa. In 1980, HART combined with NAAC (National Anti Apartheid Council), becoming HART:NAAC, creating a stronger and much more united response to all South African tours. HART:NAAC had a huge impact on raising awareness in New Zealand about apartheid, and was responsible for organising a majority of the protests that occurred in New Zealand.
NZRFU (New Zealand Rugby Football Union:
NZRFU, which is now called NZRU (New Zealand Rugby Union), are the ones responsible for the Springbok tour of 1981 commencing, and are also the people who organised and planned the tour. They believed that politics should not have an influence on sport, and did not believe that sporting contact with South Africa should be prevented.
NZRFU, which is now called NZRU (New Zealand Rugby Union), are the ones responsible for the Springbok tour of 1981 commencing, and are also the people who organised and planned the tour. They believed that politics should not have an influence on sport, and did not believe that sporting contact with South Africa should be prevented.