New Zealand competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, USSR.

In partial support of the US-led boycott, the banner of the NZOCGA was used instead of its national flag.

After the host country invaded Afghanistan in December 1979, American president Jimmy Carter called for a boycott of the Moscow Games.

The Muldoon government stepped in and threatened the NZOCGA with funding cuts and cancelled leave for competitors who were in the public service.

[2] Of the other athletes, 61 attended other Olympic Games but the remaining 34 missed out completely; the 34 were:[1]