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Overview
This Kotahitanga Pin brooch was designed as a fundraiser for people to wear in solidarity in the wake of the Christchurch terror attacks. The Masjid Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre were attacked by a heavily armed white supremacist during Friday prayer on 15 March 2019, who killed 51 people and wounded 40 more (the last victim died in Christchurch Hospital on 2 May). The victims ranged from three years old to 78.
There was an instant outpouring of love and solidarity throughout New Zealand and around the world. The Kotahitanga Pin brooch was designed by Stephen McCarthy, Scott Bolton and their Christchurch design studio McCarthy ‘as a symbol of our togetherness and solidarity. It’s a way we can all wear and show support for the people within our communities and the nation. It’s an unspoken gesture of acceptance and unity.’
Kotahitanga means unity, togetherness, solidarity and collective action. The design of the pin evokes this through the shape of a heart with gold plated aluminium and black enamel halves ‘embracing’. The design also evokes Gordon Walters’ koru paintings.
The pin was made in reaction to the Christchurch terror attacks of 15 March 2019, but ‘we do hope the pins will help us all to keep talking and thinking about unity and togetherness well into the future - no matter what race, culture or belief system you have. We are New Zealand, we are Christchurch and we are one.’ The studio has donated $86,000 to the Victim Support Trust.
Brooches and badges with messages of solidarity and love are often created as fundraisers and worn in the wake of mass violence. They are part of the work of addressing and challenging racism, Islamophobia and white supremacy in our history and everyday life.