Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
He iti kupu ki te manawa. He nui kōrero ki te marea.
Neke atu i te 200 ngā tāpine hirahira, he tohu whai mana, he tohu tuakiri, he kura mahora rangiwhāwhā.
Tūhuratia ēnei iti pounamu.
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Badges are small objects that tell big stories. These miniature billboards broadcast statements of identity and belonging.
Explore over 200 badges expressing commitment and resistance when this small but mighty exhibition comes to your community
16 Jul to 22 Oct 2026
Level 3
Free, with museum entry
All ages
30 minutes
Wheelchair access
Iti te Kupu, Nui te Kōrero | Tiny Statements: The Power of Badges invites you to experience symbols worn to show pride, defiance, and community across the motu. See author Margaret Mahy’s badge-covered scarf and a Polynesian Panthers badge commemorating 50 years of fighting racism.
You’ll likely recognise many more!
This case features protest badges that bring activism into everyday life, calling for justice, fairness, and a better world. The wearer declares their allegiance to a social cause, from the environment to women’s welfare.
In this case, badges from clubs and associations across Aotearoa New Zealand reveal identity and community. A badge proudly states shared interests and achievements, travelling with the wearer into the wider world.
Based on the book Tiny Statements: A Social History of Aotearoa New Zealand in Badges (Te Papa Press, 2023).
Related publications
The words and symbols we’ve worn. This small book with a big heart delves into Te Papa’s collections of over 1600 badges to examine how New Zealanders have used badges to join, belong, resist, defy and celebrate.
History curator Stephanie Gibson has a particular interest in how tiny things can have big impacts – especially in protest movements. She talks through some of these objects which feature in Te Papa’s collection, but also her personal one.
Te Papa holds over 1,300 community club badges and pins made by Trevor Dick in Petone, Wellington during the 1950s to early 1980s, under his company name T.M. Dick & Co Ltd. The collection provides an insight into the wide range of interests, both personal and professional, that brought New Zealanders together.
Based on collections featured in the book ‘Tiny Statements: A Social History of Aotearoa New Zealand in Badges’, this beautiful, decorative poster of a century’s worth of badge designs.
In 1987, the ground-breaking New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 became law. New Zealand became the first Western-allied country to officially ban nuclear-armed and powered warships from its territory. History curator Stephanie Gibson looks at iconic symbols from the time.
Curator and badge enthusiast Steph Gibson shares one of her favourite objects in the collection, and explains the role badges played in our protest history.
This beret and badge were worn by the Reverend Alec Toleafoa when he spoke at the official New Zealand Government apology for the Dawn Raids, held on Sunday 1 August 2021 at the Auckland Town Hall.
Primary, Secondary
Who are we as a nation? How did we get here? What do we value?
Education visit
An illustrated history of protest and activism in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Stephanie Gibson and Claire Regnault discuss the book ‘Tiny Statements: A social history of Aotearoa New Zealand’ in badges with Te Papa Press.
