New Zealand is a comparatively young nation, first settled by Europeans in the mid 1800s. Since then, they have imported a great deal of their culture from Great Britain, such as their legal and political systems, before achieving full independence in 1947.

Since settlement by Europeans, New Zealanders have never had a revolution or a war to call their own, traditional ways of establishing a national identity, so instead they turned to sport. In sport, New Zealanders have found a way to come together in national pride, to compete with other nations and to experience the glory of victory - all without the risk of death.

While Americans may ask each other, "Where were you when JFK was shot?", New Zealanders are more likely to ask, "Where were you during the underarm incident?" - referring to the 1981 cricket controversy against Australia in the World Series Cup.

'Unfortunately for New Zealand, the decision to base their cultural identity on sporting success has its downside as well'


Unfortunately for New Zealand, the decision to base their cultural identity on sporting success has its downside as well. After the semi-final loss to Australia at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, the nation virtually went into mourning and the vilification of John Hart after the 1999 World Cup was one of the most vicious character assassinations ever seen.

One of the defining moments in New Zealand history also revolved around sport - the 1981 Springbok tour. South Africa's policy of racial apartheid had seen them become an international pariah and all sporting contact was discouraged. In the face of massive public opposition, the New Zealand Rugby Union organised a tour by the all-white Springbok team and the nation became polarised as arguments over whether politics and sport should mix took place around dinner tables, water coolers and bars the length and breadth of the country.

The country was divided as protesters made their voices heard in demonstration and violent clashes with police. One of the major incidents of the tour occurred at Rugby Park in Hamilton, these days known as Waikato Stadium, where following the curtain-raiser played by two local club teams, around 350 protesters invaded the pitch chanting, "The world is watching."

The tension in the stadium was obvious; in fact the referee of the curtain-raiser had a hard time stopping those players from attacking the protesters, and things eventually boiled over when the police decided to cancel the game. That night in Hamilton, enraged rugby fans assaulted anyone who looked like a protester, a pattern that would be repeated around the country for the rest of the tour.

But when New Zealand win, the country is a brighter place to be, everyone smiles in the streets and strangers converse about the nation's latest success. In 1995, Team New Zealand won the America's Cup in an event which virtually stopped the country. Televisions were in offices and classrooms as people who had never had an interest in yachting sat glued to every tack and jibe and the nation celebrated together with huge parades when the victorious sailor returned the the Auld Mug.

With the Rugby World Cup less than a month away and fans debating whether this is the year the All Blacks reclaim the William Webb Ellis trophy, the New Zealand squad must be acutely aware that they take the expectations of the nation with them. If they return triumphant, they will immortalise themselves and the nation will celebrate and forget the problems of the world for a few weeks. But if the All Blacks fail, there will be calls for mass sackings of players, coaches and administrators, national tempers will be short and the government could even be voted out - as happened after the 1991 World Cup.

Nobody is quite sure how New Zealand came to define their national identity on sporting success, but it makes for a roller-coaster ride of dizzying highs and despairing lows for an entire nation. Maybe one day we will grow out of it, but until we do, just sit back and enjoy the ride.