Rugby league didn’t just arrive in New Zealand in 1907 — it erupted. Born from British working-class rebellion over player payments, it landed in a country ripe for its own social upheavals. Through gripping firsthand accounts and forgotten archives, this session explores how rugby league became the sporting voice of New Zealand’s industrial heartland. From the Kiingitanga to the coalfields, from factory gates to suburban clubs, discover how communities used this ‘rebel sport’ to challenge power, build identity and write their own rules.

Proudly supported by Bridget Williams Books .

Ticket Issues?
Please call Ticketmaster - 0800 111 999 or 09 970 9700 (open 9am-5pm Monday-Sunday)
Group Bookings: 09 970 9745 or groups@ticketmaster.co.nz (open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday)

In person: Dunedin Town Hall Box Office

Please note: if you are booking multiple events online, you will need to complete a separate transaction for each event.