Assignment The Pilot, The Priest And The Policeman
Reporter: Jackie Maher Producer: Chris Harrington Assignment reveals new facts and never before seen footage of the game that never was - the second game of 1981 Springbok tour. It went down in history as the game that never was - the second game in the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand, that was to be played against Waikato at Rugby Park in Hamilton. But what happened made history. Up to 400 protestors invaded the pitch and remained there until the game was called off. What many didn't know was that there was a lot more going on in the skies. Jackie Maher investigates the real reason the game was called off. Police were concerned that a light plane, piloted by a WWII fighter pilot, and hero, would crash into the grandstand at Rugby Park in Hamilton. Pilot, Pat McQuarrie had unsuccessfully tried to steal a plane to disrupt the first game, but did manage to steal a plane from Taupo and venture forth to disturb the second. Maher talks with the main protagonists, including Father Ted Dibble, a priest, and a leader of the anti-tour movement who negotiated with police on behalf of the protestors that day, as well as Bob Walton, the police commissioner involved 20 years ago. [07/06/01]
New Zealand's flagship, in-depth current affairs programme covering a host of local stories. Presented by Richard Long, with reporters Kerryanne Evans, Rob Harley, Jackie Maher and Rod Vaughan.
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1"The Pilot, The Priest and The Policeman": The 1981 Springbok Tour. July 25th saw the game that never was (Springbok's vs Waikato). 400 anti-apartheid protestors invaded Rugby Park and rumours of an approaching suicide bomber caused the police to cancel the match. Confidential documents have been uncovered that reveal how the top cop at the time stepped in to avoid a blood bath. Previously unseen footage.
Speakers
- Marx Jones (Protest Pilot '81)
- Trevor Richards (Protest Organiser '81)
- John Sawers (Mooloo '81)
- Denise Herd (Mooloo '81)
- Father Terry Dibble (Protestor '81)
- Bob Walton (Police Commissioner '81)
- John Minto (Protest Organiser '81)
- Ron Don (Auckland Rugby Boss '81)
- Ross Meurant (Red Squad '81)
- Bob Moodie (Police Association '81)
- Brian Ballard (Mooloo '81)
- Graeme Stratton (Plane Owner '81)
- Keith Quinn (Rugby Commentator '81)
- Pamela Creegan (Protestor '81)
- Kiwi Searancke (Waikato Prop '81)
- Carol Archie (TV Reporter '81)
- Wayne Johnson (Sound Recordist '81)
- Graham Bowen (Mooloo '81)
Live Broadcast
- No
Commercials
- No
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2Preview of next week's programme.
Primary Title
- Assignment
Episode Title
- The Pilot, The Priest And The Policeman
Date Broadcast
- Thursday 7 June 2001
Start Time
- 20 : 30
Finish Time
- 21 : 30
Duration
- 60:00
Series
- 2001
Episode
- 11
Channel
- TV One
Broadcaster
- Television New Zealand
Programme Description
- New Zealand's flagship, in-depth current affairs programme covering a host of local stories. Presented by Richard Long, with reporters Kerryanne Evans, Rob Harley, Jackie Maher and Rod Vaughan.
Episode Description
- Reporter: Jackie Maher Producer: Chris Harrington Assignment reveals new facts and never before seen footage of the game that never was - the second game of 1981 Springbok tour. It went down in history as the game that never was - the second game in the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand, that was to be played against Waikato at Rugby Park in Hamilton. But what happened made history. Up to 400 protestors invaded the pitch and remained there until the game was called off. What many didn't know was that there was a lot more going on in the skies. Jackie Maher investigates the real reason the game was called off. Police were concerned that a light plane, piloted by a WWII fighter pilot, and hero, would crash into the grandstand at Rugby Park in Hamilton. Pilot, Pat McQuarrie had unsuccessfully tried to steal a plane to disrupt the first game, but did manage to steal a plane from Taupo and venture forth to disturb the second. Maher talks with the main protagonists, including Father Ted Dibble, a priest, and a leader of the anti-tour movement who negotiated with police on behalf of the protestors that day, as well as Bob Walton, the police commissioner involved 20 years ago. [07/06/01]
Classification
- Not Classified
Owning Collection
- Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Captions
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Genres
- Current affairs
Hosts
- Richard Long (Presenter)
Contributors
- Jackie Maher (Reporter)
- Chris Harrington (Producer | Director)
Speakers
- Bob Moodie (Police Association '81)
- Bob Walton (Police Commissioner '81)
- Brian Ballard (Mooloo '81)
- Carol Archie (TV Reporter '81)
- Denise Herd (Mooloo '81)
- Father Terry Dibble (Protestor '81)
- Graeme Stratton (Plane Owner '81)
- Graham Bowen (Mooloo '81)
- John Minto (Protest Organiser '81)
- John Sawers (Mooloo '81)
- Keith Quinn (Rugby Commentator '81)
- Kiwi Searancke (Waikato Prop '81)
- Marx Jones (Protest Pilot '81)
- Pamela Creegan (Protestor '81)
- Ron Don (Auckland Rugby Boss '81)
- Ross Meurant (Red Squad '81)
- Trevor Richards (Protest Organiser '81)
- Wayne Johnson (Sound Recordist '81)