A new exhibition that revisits the anti-Springbok Tour movement through the work of local photographers is now on at Waikato Museum in Hamilton.
The exhibition titled 1981, is about one of the most divisive events in New Zealand's recent history. On 25 July 1981, hundreds of New Zealanders, who believed playing sport with South Africa condoned its racist apartheid system, stormed the field at Hamilton's Rugby Park.
The pitch invasion disrupted the rugby match between the Waikato team and the touring South African Springboks, resulting in one of urban Hamilton's most violent days. The game was officially called off at 3.10pm, leaving tour supporters enraged.
This milestone moment was captured live on TV and the images rapidly spread around the world, including South Africa, where fans had got up early in the morning to watch the match.