Robert Muldoon was the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984. Despite many events throughout his governance the most dramatic and remembered would have to be the Springbok Tour protests of 1981. Muldoon was the leader of the National party, and sold himself as a politician who understood and represented the average New Zealander. He was pro-tour, and believed that politics and sport should not be mixed. He resisted pressure by common wealth countries as well as representatives of the New Zealand public to cancel the 1981 tour. This lead to him being accused of breaking the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement, he responded in an article in The Times where he stated:
"New Zealand and subsequently other countries made it clear that they could not subscribe to an agreement which required them to abrogate the freedoms of their sportsmen and prohibit sporting contacts."
Throughout 1981 Muldoon was firmly pro-tour, his actions toward the tour was a key factor as to why New Zealand was thrown into chaos in 1981. The government left it up to the people’s consciences to decide whether or not to support the tour. This decision meant that many New Zealanders felt obliged to protest against sporting contact with an apartheid country. It is debatable as to whether New Zealand would have been better off without the 1981 tour going ahead, but it is fairly certain that if Muldoon had had the foresight to cancel it, New Zealand would not have witnessed the acts of aggression and nationwide protest that it did in 1981. Because of this Muldoon was a key player and cause of the Springbok Tour protests in 1981.
"New Zealand and subsequently other countries made it clear that they could not subscribe to an agreement which required them to abrogate the freedoms of their sportsmen and prohibit sporting contacts."
Throughout 1981 Muldoon was firmly pro-tour, his actions toward the tour was a key factor as to why New Zealand was thrown into chaos in 1981. The government left it up to the people’s consciences to decide whether or not to support the tour. This decision meant that many New Zealanders felt obliged to protest against sporting contact with an apartheid country. It is debatable as to whether New Zealand would have been better off without the 1981 tour going ahead, but it is fairly certain that if Muldoon had had the foresight to cancel it, New Zealand would not have witnessed the acts of aggression and nationwide protest that it did in 1981. Because of this Muldoon was a key player and cause of the Springbok Tour protests in 1981.