1981 - A Country at War

The New Zealand Government's decision to proceed with a controversial Springbok rugby tour in 1981 tore open cultural and political rifts within Kiwi society. In these two documentary excerpts, New Zealanders on both sides of the divide give firsthand accounts of the bloody aftermath of matches in Gisborne, Hamilton and Auckland. The protests enraged rugby fans, and for police officers like Tyrone Laurenson, the events of 1981 were a matter of personal survival. For Māori protestors, the tour provoked serious questions about racism at home in Aotearoa.

It was like trench warfare; I suddenly realised that everything had changed...

– Journalist Bill Ralston on witnessing the first Springbok match in 1981

Key Cast & Crew

John Sumner

Narrator

Owen Hughes

Producer

Rachel Jean

Producer, Director

Geoff Steven

Executive Producer

Bill Ralston

Subject

Robyn Grace

Production Manager