item details
NameNew Zealand Labour Party badge
ProductionMayer & Kean Limited; manufacturer; mid 20th century; Wellington
Classificationbadges, pins
Materialsmetal, enamel
DimensionsOverall: 34mm (width), 23mm (height), 7mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH026146
Credit linePurchased 2022
Overview
This badge was worn by a member of the New Zealand Labour Party.
The Labour Party was founded on 7 July 1916 in Wellington, and is New Zealand’s oldest extant political party. It brought together earlier political parties and unions.
The party adopted red – which was associated with the international socialist movement and represented the blood of the worker. Here, the badge designer has placed the New Zealand Labour Party (N.Z.L.P.) at the heart of the iconic silver fern. The party continues to use the fern as its motif.