T-shirt (Samoa tsunami relief)

On the morning of the 29th of September 2009, an earthquake of 8.3 magnitude struck off the southern coast of Samoa.  This earthquake generated a devastating tsunami that affected the islands of American Samoa, Tonga and Samoa.  Over 150 lives were lost and thousands of people directly affected. In Samoa the damages to tourism, villages, infrastructure and the local population was extensive, one of the most costly disasters in the Samoan living history.

Acquisition History

This t-shirt was designed by former New Zealand All Black rugby player Neemia Tialata, who is of Samoan descent.  Tialata's family come from the village of Lalomanu in Upolu, Samoa.  Lalomanu was in one of the most severely hit places with a total of 25 children tragically killed from this one village.  Like many other Samoans born and living in New Zealand, Tialata felt like he wanted to do something to help. He designed a logo which featured two hands entwined, forming a heart with a silver fern over the top, this design was then incorporated into Wellington Lion rugby team jerseys for a special edition uniform to show their support for Samoa. 

The playing jerseys were then auctioned off post-match to raise funds for the relief effort.  Alongside this, the design was incorporated on to t-shirts donated from New Zealand clothing company, Canterbury NZ and sold to members of the public for $30.00 to further help support the cause.  

This t-shirt was bought by Grace Hutton in support. She donated the t-shirt to Te Papa in 2013.

Significance

This t-shirt is a fundraising effort aimed at an audience outside of Samoa, and has incorporated style elementss along with a biblical verse  from Psalm 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where i will never be shaken into its design.

The green cupped hands in the logo strongly resemble the form of a ribbon, a symbol that is commonly used in New Zealand and other parts of the world to remember a significant event or highlight issues of importance.  Other awareness ribbons that can be identified in a New Zealand context include: the white ribbon, worn during November and aimed at highlighting issues around domestic violence; the pink ribbon, as part of an international entity that promotes the awareness of breast cancer; and the yellow ribbon aimed at suicide prevention, with a particular focus on youth.  Whilst the design resembles a ribbon, the cupped hands actually form a heart shape.  This simple gesture is universally recognised as connected to love. 

The New Zealand government and public responded promptly and generously to this disaster.  The government's international aid and development programme (NZ Aid) immediately made $2 million available to assist those directly influenced by the tsunami and also donated to The Red Cross and other Non Governmental Organisations.  Prime Minister John Key visited the most affected areas of Samoa to witness the damage first-hand and demonstrate the nation's commitment to helping in the relief effort.  Hundreds of New Zealanders contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to advise them of their skills and expertise and willingness to volunteer, of which many were subsequently located in Samoa and Tonga as part of the rebuild. 

This taonga reflects one of the many responses from Aotearoa New Zealand to the emergency and is evidence of the continuing relationship and strong links between these nations especially in times of need.

References

Chapman, K. (2009, October 16). Wellington Lions stars aid tsunami victims. Fairfax NZ News.  Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/2969146/Wellington-Lions-stars-aid-tsunami-victims

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2010). New Zealand's Role in Pacific tsunami recovery.  Development Stories October - December 2010. Retrieved from http://www.aid.govt.nz/media-and-publications/stories-and-features/october-december-2010/new-zealands-role-pacific-tsunami-