Witness History
Witness History
Māori protests stops South African rugby tour
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November 10, 2022
9 minutes
Available for over a year
In 1981, the South African rugby tour of New Zealand was disrupted by Māori anti-racism campaigners who invaded pitches.
They wanted to highlight the injustice of apartheid in South Africa and the discrimination Maoris were suffering in New Zealand.
Ripeka Evans organised and took part in the protests. She tells Alex Collins about the direct action she took to sabotage high-profile matches.
(Photo: Protesters form a circle in the middle of the pitch at Rugby Park, Hamilton. Credit: John Selkirk)