A first long-term cause of the protest against the 1981 Springbok Tour was the long-standing regime of apartheid in South Africa. Begun in 1948 and continued to 1994 by the various National Party governments who came to power, the system discriminated against black people, forcing them to live on the boundaries of society. Laws and regulations enforced and supported this separation of white and black, and South Africa became a victim of international pressure through the United Nations and other organisations to stop apartheid. In 1968, the UN called for a ban on sporting contacts with South Africa as a way of putting pressure on the South African government to change racist policies within the country. New Zealanders knew about apartheid in South Africa, and understood that it was unfair and should be stopped altogether. For generations, New Zealand had been under the illusion of having perfect race relations; that Pakeha and Maori were perfectly equal, when in reality they were anything but.
Because of having a tie with South Africa as a multi-racial country, New Zealanders were especially appalled at the treatment of black South Africans. Many Maori could not stand this, and when rugby tours were proposed with South Africa, they protested on the grounds of apartheid. Many New Zealanders felt that through having sporting contact with an apartheid state, New Zealand was condoning apartheid.
South Africa as an apartheid country was a main cause of the Springbok Tour protests as many New Zealanders saw it as a crime to humanity. "1,2,3,4, WE DON'T WANT YOUR RACIST TOUR" was a catch cry in the protests, and apartheid was the main reason so many New Zealanders opposed the 1981 tour.
Because of having a tie with South Africa as a multi-racial country, New Zealanders were especially appalled at the treatment of black South Africans. Many Maori could not stand this, and when rugby tours were proposed with South Africa, they protested on the grounds of apartheid. Many New Zealanders felt that through having sporting contact with an apartheid state, New Zealand was condoning apartheid.
South Africa as an apartheid country was a main cause of the Springbok Tour protests as many New Zealanders saw it as a crime to humanity. "1,2,3,4, WE DON'T WANT YOUR RACIST TOUR" was a catch cry in the protests, and apartheid was the main reason so many New Zealanders opposed the 1981 tour.