ABSTRACT
This article examines the genesis of racialized discourse and whiteness in Aotearoa/New Zealand through rugby, the 'national game'. The construction of historical racial parameters will be investigated through accounts of the Māori All Blacks, a 'race'-based team that, since its inception, has facilitated the allegorical logic of race in Aotearoa/New Zealand by anchoring Pākehā whiteness in contrast to the brown skin of Māori rugby players. The article traces the changing nature of dominant constructions of Pākehā whiteness in relation to Māori, firstly, as imperialists, colonizers and assimilators, secondly, as proponents of racial equality (especially in relation to 'the old foe' - South Africa) and, more recently, as advocates of biculturalism. The article achieves this by examining historical case studies where racialized discourses were prominent, including the debate whether to include Māori All Blacks in All Black tours to South Africa and, more recently, the discourse surrounding the 'hanging by a fingernail' saga, which developed when a number of prominent players who 'did not look Māori' were selected to play for the Māori All Blacks.
