Words and symbols we’ve worn

Te Papa curators Stephanie Gibson and Claire Regnault are the awardwinning authors of Te Papa Press’ latest book, Tiny Statements: A social history of Aotearoa New Zealand in badges.

This small book with a big heart delves into 200 of 1600 badges from Te Papa’s collection.

Throughout New Zealand’s history, people have used badges to join, belong, resist, defy and celebrate. From protest groups and Girl Guides to sports clubs, animal breeds, tino rangatiratanga and suffrage – there has been a badge for almost every New Zealand cause and endeavour.

May marks New Zealand Music month, a campaign to promote, encourage and support music made by New Zealand musicians. Thirtyone days are devoted to celebrating homegrown talent throughout the country.

This New Zealand Music Month badge features the logo of the New Zealand Music Commission’s annual month-long campaign.

The iconic, optically compelling logo is a perfect design match for the standard round badge.

To some eyes, it might evoke sound waves, or the turntable of a record player, record grooves, or compact discs – objects which still exist though largely superseded by digital platforms.

New Zealand Music Month began in 1997 as New Zealand Music Week. The original idea was to raise awareness of the quality of local music and get more of it played on commercial radio. At that time, commercial radio was reluctant to play local music and many New Zealand musicians struggled to achieve commercial success and make a living. Music Week helped turn that around.

Music contributes to our cultural well-being – this was recognised by the establishment of the New Zealand Music Commission in 2000. The commission’s aim was to get more New Zealand music heard and by a wider audience. So, it expanded New Zealand Music Week into New Zealand Music Month. Embraced by the public, the campaign is now a successful and cherished celebration of talent from across the country. New Zealand music is showcased both on broadcast media and in hundreds of live performances around the country.

Many organisations contribute to making this celebration possible including NZ On Air, Recorded Music New Zealand, APRA, The Music Managers Forum, Independent Music NZ, New Zealand’s music labels, and the media. At the heart of Music Month are the artists themselves, and the public who support them.

References: New Zealand Music Month – New Zealand Music Month; NZHistory, New Zealand history online: What even is New Zealand Music Month? An oral history; RNZ: What is NZ Music Month?; New Zealand Music Month, May 2023

Tiny Statements is available for purchase from Te Papa Press’ website and selected bookstores.