A sign on a fence with a picture of the Earth and the message "Protect Papatuanuku"

Explore

Dive into the world of resistance, persistence, and defiance through our amazing collections and thought-provoking activities.

Photo of hundreds of people gathered on Parliament grounds, carrying many protest signs

What does protest look, sound, and feel like?

People in charge can sometimes make decisions that are not fair for everyone. This can cause frustration, anger, and sadness. When people protest they come together to express these emotions and to demand change. Every protest is different, but they do have some features in common.

Blue-coloured badge with a rainbow and white dove on it. Text reads “Greenpeace” and “You can’t sink a rainbow”

What are some of the symbols of resistance in Aotearoa?

Effective protests have a unifying message and a shared set of symbols or images. Many protests will also involve chanting, songs, and speeches to make sure that people understand what the protest is about.

Small wooden box containing a collection of old black and white portraits

How do we ethically remember?

The way in which we look back and understand the past is really important. Examine your local histories and consider the ways in which the past is being remembered.

Tino rangatiratanga flag: top third is black, bottom third is red, middle third, in the shop of two koru, is white

Why is Te Tiriti justice so important?

Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice is one of our country’s most important protest issues. Explore why rangatira signed Te Tiriti, what Te Tiriti promised, what happened afterwards and the ways in which we could transform Aotearoa to enact the promises of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Cartoon of 10 people sitting around a dining table, each with varying numbers of plates in front of them, from multiple to none

What are the big issues of our time?

Activism is about challenging the ways things are done and standing up for what is just. It’s about examining what is unfair and imagining a better world. What are the issues of today that need our attention?

Black and white photo of protestors marching down a major road in Wellington’s city centre

Who has fought for a better world?

Many generations of people before you have sought justice. We stand in a long line of activists. Explore the ways we can be inspired by and fuelled by the leaders who have gone before us.