NZ protest through the ages

Gordana Rodden meets the photographers who’ve documented decades of dissent.

Photojournalist John Selkirk is no stranger to protests. His 45-year career put him in the middkle of many demonstrations. Most, like Monday’s Extinction Rebellion protest in Wellington, were passive forms of resistance. But the 1981 Springbok Tour was ‘‘violent’’ and unlike anything Selkirk ever saw again.

He feared for his safety – violence on both sides meant keeping vigilant and remaining neutral were paramount. There were no helmets or vests for the press.

‘‘You had to sort of hide your camera from the rugby supporters. They weren’t happy with the media because they felt like we were giving protesters too much coverage.’’

Changes happened quickly and photographers had to move fast. When protesters swarmed the pitch and stopped the Hamilton match on July 25, 1981, Selkirk moved with them.

He shot everything he could see, watching the protesters and police clash through the lens of his camera. ‘‘It was anarchy… but I loved it.’’

Operating in the era of film meant he had to return to the office darkroom to develop his protest shots, and wire them to Wellington for publication. ‘‘You always had a good idea of what shots you had captured, you just hoped the film processing didn’t muck up.’’

Selkirk says smartphones have created an age of ‘‘citizen photography’’ for photojournalists to compete against.

Photographer Kevin Stent has captured protests for 25 years and says constantly filing images back to the newsroom can mean missing good shots. ‘‘When they shot in film it meant [picture desks] just had to wait and that was it.’’

The Extinction Rebellion protest provided the type of drama that produces a good photograph, despite being nonviolent.

‘‘Protests these days are pretty tame, but very strategic.’’

JOHN SELKIRK RICKY WILSON/STUFF A well-prepared protester has a quiet smoke as she waits at Fowlds Park for the march to Eden Park before the playing of the third All Blacks test against the Springboks on September 12, 1981.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF Left: A Peace Action Wellington protester is arrested outside the TSB Arena where the 2015 Arms Conference was taking place. Right: David Gibson of Nelson police gets Greenpeace protester Tia Taurere’s details before her arrest for protesting against the foreign registered trawler’s participation in the damaging practice of bottom trawling. Far right: Climate strikers make their feelings heard in Auckland’s Queen St during last month’s protests.

JOHN SELKIRK Protesters form a tight bond in the middle of the pitch after running on to Rugby Park, Hamilton, before the start of the Waikato v Springboks game on July 25, 1981. The match was cancelled.

JOHN SELKIRK Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Davies walks past injured protesters outside Eden Park after the battle of Walters Rd during the third All Blacks test against the Springboks in 1981.