Location: Brookfield Lawyers Gallery, Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre

Join us for an evening floor talk about the 1981 Springbok Tour, presented by artist and activist Tāme Iti. For 56 days in July, August and September 1981, New Zealanders were divided against each other in the largest civil disturbance seen since the 1951 waterfront dispute. More than 150,000 people took part in over 200 demonstrations in 28 centres, and 1500 were charged with offences stemming from these protests.

This event connects with The 80’s Show, an exhibition of well-known artworks made in New Zealand in the 1980s. The 80’s Show has been curated by Tauranga Art Gallery to give those born after 1990 an opportunity to contextualise the period, while reacquainting earlier generations with a time that has become synonymous with pop culture classics and tumultuous events. 

This talk is free to attend. All are welcome, but please be aware that this event is designed with adults in mind.

The 80’s Show has been developed and toured by Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga, and generously supported by Craigs Investment Partners. Special thanks to the Fletcher Trust Collection.

Image: Protesters in Hamilton during a demonstration against the 1981 Springbok Tour - Photograph by Phil Reid