The Kaupapa

We protest against the continued oppression of the coloured and black people of South Africa by the White Government of Pretoria. Following the spirit of the Gleneagles Agreement (1977) we do not believe that New Zealand should have contact through the sport of rugby football with South Africa. To insist on maintaining this contact and on allowing the invited players to go to South Africa is to put New Zealand in the position of appearing to condone the oppression. Through rugby football, South Africa is inviting New Zealand to become a partner in its rascist policies, to that NZ as a nation, appears to be agreeing with the practice of racial discrimination.

We wish it to be clearly understood that the Maori people of New Zealand do not agree with South Africa's policy of apartheid and cannot condone the pain and human suffering being experienced by the coloured and black people of South Africa. Therefore, we oppose the visit to South Africa of New Zealand rugby players and Rugby Union officials scheduled for March of this year. We believe that the good name of New Zealand in the international community is more important than rugby. Our self-esteem as New Zealanders is a matter of greater importance than rugby football.