Resist!

Resist! brings to light a collection of protest, solidarity, and collective action drawn from the University of Waikato’s special collections. At its heart is a remarkable poster collection curated through the work of Michael Law and the Trade Union Education Authority (TUEA), capturing decades of struggle, organising, and resistance across Aotearoa.

This exhibition traces a lineage of voices—union members, students, activists, and artists—who challenged injustice and demanded change. From historic labour movements and anti-apartheid protests to nuclear-free advocacy and campus activism, the materials on display reveal how past struggles continue to echo in the present. Visitors are invited to question: is this 1926 or 2026?

Structured as a journey of “swimming down,” Resist! explores the strength found in collective action. Beginning with declarations of union solidarity, the exhibition moves through pivotal moments such as the 1981 Springbok Tour protests and the 1950s Waterfront lockouts, before arriving at local stories of resistance within the University itself. The final section highlights protest through artistic expression, demonstrating how creativity sustains and amplifies political movements - because all good movements NEED Iconography!

Resist! is a call to engage. By showcasing items from across the special collections the exhibition invites students, researchers, and the wider community to rediscover these resources and carry their stories forward. Like a phoenix, this collection rises again, reminding us that resistance is not only history, but an ongoing, collective act.