Wearing a badge or pin can be a representation of your identity, your pride or your outrage.
New Zealanders have created badges for almost every cause and endeavour over the years; from protest groups, to suffrage, tino rangatiratanga, sports clubs, even animal breeds and royal visits.
Te Papa has a collection of over 1600 of these such badges, representing a slice of New Zealand's political, social and environmental history.
Stephanie Gibson, curator of New Zealand Histories and Cultures at Te Papa calls them "tiny objects which tell big stories".
Together with fellow curator Claire Regnault, they have just released a book Tiny Statements: A Social History of Aotearoa New Zealand in Badges.
Taita Marching Club badge, 1950s–70s. By TM Dick & Co. Ltd, Petone, New Zealand. 38 x 23 x 15 mm. Purchased 2003. (PHOTO: Te Papa (GH021978))
Collection of suffrage badges, 1909–12. Various makers, United Kingdom. (PHOTO: Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hākena (MS-0253))
Bring Back the Goodnight Kiwi badge, c.2016. Maker unknown, New Zealand. 32 x 5 mm. (PHOTO: Gift of Isaac Te Awa, 2022. Te Papa (GH026211))
N.Z. Registered Midwife badge, 1943. By Mayer & Kean Ltd, New Zealand. 29 x 6 mm. (PHOTO: Gift of Mary Ann Townsend, 2009.Te Papa (GH021338))
Friesian Breeders Association – Past President badge, 1970s. By TM Dick & Co. Ltd, Petone, New Zealand.20 x 25 x 7 mm. Purchased 2003. (PHOTO: Te Papa (GH021433))
I Don’t Buy South African Goods badge, 1980s. Maker unknown, New Zealand. 44 x 7 mm. Gift of the Estate of Ron and Carmen Smith, 2015. (PHOTO: Te Papa (GH024500))
