About the display

Discover the stories and lives remembered through The New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, a nationally significant memorial honouring those lost to HIV-related illnesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Established in 1988, the Quilt Project brings together personal stories of remembrance, resilience and community. Each quilt panel is a tribute to a life, created by loved ones to preserve memories and honour those who have passed. 

Scheduled to coincide with World AIDS Day on 1 December, this free public display at the Gallery offers an opportunity for rainbow communities to reconnect with an important part of history, while inviting all visitors to reflect on the human stories behind the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the Quilt Project's enduring legacy. 

A representative from Burnett Foundation Aotearoa will be present throughout the display to share insights into the Quilt Project, its history and significance, and answer visitors' questions. 

Alongside the quilts, visitors are invited to share their own reflections in a dedicated response space. 

Whether you have a personal connection to the quilts or are discovering their stories for the first time, we welcome you to spend time with this important taonga. 

 

Talks

Learn more about the history and significance of The New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt through short talks presented by staff from Burnett Foundation Aotearoa. 

These talks will introduce the origins of the Quilt Project, its role in remembering those lost to HIV and AIDS, and its lasting significance within rainbow communities in Aotearoa. 

Talk times

• 12pm and 2pm on Saturday 28 November and Sunday 29 November

The talks are part of the free public display. All are welcome.

 

Find out more

Explore the history of the Quilt Project and discover the stories behind the memorial panels on the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt website.

The quilts that are on display at the Gallery are ones held by the Burnett Foundation in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Most of the surviving New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilts and archives were gifted to Te Papa in 2011.