The Friday Conference - Abraham Ordia public forum

On June 4 1976, Gordon Dryden hosted Abraham Ordia — president of the African Supreme Council of Sport — for a public forum on New Zealand’s sporting ties with apartheid South Africa, which would result in an Olympic boycott by African countries the following month. The debate erupted into what the Auckland Star called  “a diabolic confrontation between Māori and Pākeha”, with Dryden frequently pleading for civility. Weightlifter Precious McKenzie, MP Richard Prebble, activist Syd Jackson and Donna Awatere-Huata are among those in the audience, making their feelings known.

Play on the black keys of the piano alone, you have dischord...play on the white keys, and you have dischord. Play on the black and white keys, and you have harmony.

– Abraham Ordia's parting words to the NZ audience

Key Cast & Crew

Donald Hope Evans

Producer

Gordon Dryden

Presenter

David Exel

Research