Second World War poster collection

10 December, 2018 SHARE:

During the Second World War there was a continuous drive throughout New Zealand to recruit men for military service, and to raise funds for the war effort and the welfare of service personnel.

Tairāwhiti was no exception and various patriotic councils and committees organised events throughout the East Coast. “Patriotic funds are collected without payment to anyone and there are many workers who have assisted us times without number at considerable inconvenience and expense” (quoted from pamphlet ‘1945 Queen Carnival’ 2005.84.3).

Tairāwhiti Museum has a collection of 147 posters from this period advertising occasions such as flower shows, sports days, picnics, balls, dog trials, and shows to boost morale, quotas and funds. One poster reads: “Join the…Tin-Hat Club: Tin-Hat Day Appeal for Sick and Wounded Comforts. Give Freely, Give Gladly. Help Those Who Were Prepared to Give Their All. Forward A Donation To Secretary Gisborne Patriotic Zone Committee, P.O. Box 41”.

The second poster advertises sports events, including horse races, by the Tokomaru Bay Sports Club. The Tolaga Bay Beach Races, an annual horse-racing held at Kaiaua Beach on the East Coast is an event that remains a highlight of the district every summer.

Tin-Hat Day poster 1996-30-62a

Explore the museum's World War Two poster collection on our blog
Tokomaru Bay Sports Club poster 1996-30-110a

Tin-Hat Day poster 1996-30-62a

With this interesting collection of posters now catalogued we have the opportunity to use them to improve our understanding of life at home in Tairāwhiti during the Second World War. Museum staff would like to find out who collected this posters and how they found their way to the museum. We are also keen to know more about the events and organisations highlighted by these posters – did you attend a Tin-Hat Day? Do you know anyone who worked in the Gisborne Patriotic Zone Committee?

Megan Hansen-Knarhoi, collection technician

This blog is adapted from the 2018 December edition of Tuitui Tuituia!

Explore more highlights from the museum’s World War Two poster collection

1996-30-42a
1996-30-37a
1996-30-35a
1996-30-26a
1996-30-23a
1996-30-16a
1996-30-14a
1996-30-10a
1996-30-9a
1996-30-3a
1996-30-2a
1996-30-1a
1996-30-144a
1996-30-142a
1996-30-138a
1996-30-136a
1996-30-131a
1996-30-123a
1996-30-119a
1996-30-101a
1996-30-99a
1996-30-98a
1996-30-83a
1996-30-79a
1996-30-64a
1996-30-59a
1996-30-58a
1996-30-48a
1996-30-45a
Tin-Hat Day poster 1996-30-62a

Explore the museum's World War Two poster collection on our blog
Tokomaru Bay Sports Club poster 1996-30-110a

Tin-Hat Day poster 1996-30-62a