item details
NameCommonwealth Games tie pin
ProductionJohn Webster International; manufacturer(s); 1974; New Zealand
Colin Simon; graphic designer; 1971; New Zealand
Colin Simon; graphic designer; 1971; New Zealand
Classificationstickpins, badges, souvenirs
Materialsmetal
DimensionsOverall: 11mm (width), 23mm (height), 5mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH012063/2
Credit lineGift of Jan Sammons, 2008
Overview
This tie pin was made for the Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch in 1974.
It features the iconic ‘NZ’ logo designed by Colin Simon (1938-2021). Simple but complex, it captures the abbreviation for the name of the country (‘NZ’), the number of the 1974 Games (‘X’ for 10th), the colours of the Commonwealth connected to the Union Jack (red, white and blue), and stylised ‘V’ shapes inspired by Māori carvings.