WW100 Centenary Programme - Ngā Tapuwae Limited Edition Pin

The centenary of New Zealand's participation in the First World War will be marked from 2014-2019 through commemorative events, projects and activities in all parts of the country.

Ngā Tapuwae - New Zealand First World War Trails is a WW100 legacy project that guides people through historic landscapes and sites of the First World War. The word Ngā Tapuwae translates to ‘the footsteps’. With these trails people can follow in the footsteps of New Zealand soldiers, explore famous battle sites and imagine the scenes that unfolded there.

The Village Goldsmith, in partnership with WW100 (the First World War Centenary Programme) and Te Papa, has designed the Ngā Tapuwae New Zealand First World War Trails’ limited edition sterling silver pin.

Both the pin and the trails embody remembrance. The trails are a journey of remembrance where people can follow in the footsteps of the New Zealanders who served in the First World War, and the pin is worn in memory of these same men and women.

The pin has been designed and made in New Zealand by The Village Goldsmith. Our team were able to digitally trace the Ngā Tapuwae logo to input into 3D software. A border was added around the logo, as well as depth to create a 3D model suitable for 3D printing. The model was printed in a thermos-polymer wax which was then used to create moulds of the pin through lost-wax investment casting.

Expert jeweller, Heath Neilson, then crafted the sterling silver pins in The Village Goldsmith’s Wellington workshop. The raw castings were sanded and polished to a mirror finish, pins riveted to the back, a charcoal enamel applied to the rebated surface detail, and the pins given a final polish and clean.

The wooden boxes, which the pins are displayed in, are individually hand crafted in Wellington and made of NZ Macrocarpa with brass hinges and velvet inserts.

The project is a collaboration between local creative teams, resulting in a unique and meaningful symbol by which to remember an important piece of New Zealand history.

Purchase your pin at tepapastore.co.nz

The Ngā Tapuwae limited edition pin launched in the same week as the centenary commemorations of New Zealand's involvement in the Battle of the Somme.

You can view and purchase the limited edition pin at the Te Papa Store, in store or online at tepapastore.co.nz

For more information about the Ngā Tapuwae Trails visit ngatapuwae.govt.nz

For more information about the WW100 Programme visit ww100.govt.nz