All Racist Tours, 1969), much of the Rugby Union seemed to turn a blind-eye to the racial discrimination within the league. As one of the most renowned activist events in rugby, the Panthers played a large role in protesting racial selection in the sport by joining rallies against the 1981 Springbok Tour. Because of South African apartheid, New Zealand sports teams were urged to exclude Māori players and select rosters according to racial segregation, said to be in the best interest and safety of the players. In 1970, All Blacks rugby toured its Māori and Islander players under the privileged status of 'honorary whites', although many were not satisfied with this gesture of tolerance. Being the last major activism undertaken by the Panthers, this was also the most physically involved protest with police counter-charge and game spectator violence. Panther member Tigilau Ness was imprisoned for his role in the protests. Founding panther member Will 'Ilolahia was also arrested for helping organise the protests, and was facing 10 years in prison if convicted. Following a two-year trial, he was found not guilty, a verdict that was partially attributed to Desmond Tutu flying from South Africa specifically to act as a character witness for the Panthers. After describing the Panthers as liberators and defenders of human rights, and attributing their actions as playing a role in the end of apartheid, a jury took 1 hour and 10 minutes to find 'Ilolahia not guilty. As he was leaving the courthouse, 'Ilolahia states that police threatened him with violence, resulting in him returning to Tonga for his safety. As most of the Panther's duties at the time were organised by 'Ilolahia, his departure from New Zealand effectively resulted in the end of the organisation. Amid controversial tours, the Gleneagles Agreement of 1977 gave international support against apartheid in sport. Later years In 2006 Panther members released a book to mark the 35th anniversary of the Polynesian Panther movement. On 12 September 2009 the Polynesian Panthers held a special evening in Auckland to honour American Black Panther revolutionary artist Emory Douglas during his International Artist in Residency at Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts. In 2010 a documentary film made by Nevak 'Ilolahia (niece of Will 'Ilolahia), was released telling the story of the Polynesian Panthers. It was shown on Māori Television's New Zealand documentary slot. In 2016, activists still operating under the name