Promoting the visibility of New Zealand made goods has long been a significant activity for manufacturers, retailers and trade unions often supported by government. More than 140 years ago the purpose was generally to generate domestic growth including job creation, to increase export income and foreign investment, and along the way build a sense of national pride while encouraging domestic consumption.
A series of industrial exhibitions in the 19th Century began with the New Zealand Exhibition held in Dunedin in 1865. On 1st August 1885 the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition opened in Wellington and ran for three weeks. The 655 exhibits included state-of-the-art farm and factory machinery, musical instruments, a perfumery, and handicrafts.
In 1889-90, the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition first took place in Dunedin.
In Wellington, the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition of 1896-97 was sponsored by the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association and included about 30 exhibitors. The aim was to show to people of New Zealand the range of goods being manufactured in their midst.
In 1906 plans were finalised for the first industrial exhibition of an international scale to be held in New Zealand - the ‘New Zealand International Exhibition of Arts and Industries’ in Christchurch. The Exhibition was government subsidised and no effort was spared; the buildings were impressive in size and design and included a complete Maori Pa. The displays were said to be of a very high standard. It attracted significant participation by other British Empire countries. A set of stamps to commemorate the event was produced (pictured right).
Wellington was again the setting for an internationally-focused exhibition in 1911, with the Coronation New Zealand Industrial Exhibition, named in honour of the new King, George V.
But the first campaign to focus solely on encouraging New Zealanders to buy New Zealand made goods began 100 years ago for largely the same reasons that similar campaigns continue today: job creation, strengthened communities, sustainability, and firms better able to enter the world stage as exporters. And what has also remained remarkably consistent over these decades has been the fact that these have all been carried out in partnerships between manufacturers, retailers, government, unions and industry bodies.
Stamps issued to commemorate the New Zealand Exhibition of Arts and Industries.