Sport and Colonialism in 19th Century Australasia - LA84 Foundation

There are many sources that illustrate the extent of New
Zealand's "working class" society 36 although, it should not be
forgotten, once the gold rushes of the 1860s created a buoyant
economy, there were many opportunities to get ahead. Successful
pastoral-capitalists became New Zealand's wealthy class and
their influence on recreation and sport in the early part of
the twentieth century merits future analysis.
VII
In nineteenth century pioneering New Zealand society there
was a tremendous reliance upon the establishment of British imported
values and attitudes. The resolution of the imported
and the indigenous clearly lay in favour of the pervasive influence
of the "homeland". Nevertheless, as has been outlined
here, there were marked levels of adaptation and adjustment.
By the 1880s an imported heritage had found its colonial expres-
sion. "While sports such as cricket, tennis, golf, and polo
found their place in colonial society, far more popular were
the pursuits that came to be associated with colonial occasions".
37
Horse racing meetings were festivals of informality,
and fun laced with gambling and strong drink while the hurlyburly
of the rugby game became the focal point of community
interest. The openness of New Zealand did not lend itself to
subservience. Although there were the wealthy and landowning
groups in society the outlook of the settlers was typified by
self-respect. Even by the depression years of the 1880s, when
there was a growing reaction to New Zealand's landed gentry and
newly emerging capitalist class, the foundation had been successfully
laid for a "cherished colonial ethos of open opportunity
for all". 38
The rugby club was open to all classes in
society, the game itself was simple and easily understood and
with the emphasis on group solidarity, rugby became the touchstone
of an emerging New Zealand way of life rather than a reflection
of the country's British heritage.
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