The Single Object

Photo: The Single Object

Heavy metal afterlives: An appreciation of the NZ Chinese Growers Monthly typeface

In 1952, a boat from Hong Kong arrived in New Zealand carrying one metric tonne of lead type. Here's how it helped write the story of Chinese New Zealanders.

By Kerry Ann Lee | 12th March, 2024

The staircase at Auckland’s Basement Theatre. (Photos: Scott Hardy)

The Single Object: the theatre staircase that connects Auckland’s histories

The space that now holds Auckland's Basement Theatre has carried many names in its lifetime. Its staircase has carried entire communities.

By Sam Brooks | 29th August, 2023

Contributing writer

Image by Ans Westra, courtesy of {Suite}

Wool’s gold: how Swanndri became a New Zealand icon

A history of the garment that’s kept generations of New Zealanders warm and dry.

By Kirsty Cameron | 27th July, 2023

The pink flowers used to decorate these outdoor columns (Image: Athfield’s; additional design: Tina Tiller)

The Single Object: A fallen petal of Athfield’s church

Architectural scholar Dr Kate Linzey explores the many quirks and beautiful designs of Wellington's First Church of Christ Scientist.

By Kate Linzey | 3rd February, 2023

(Photo: Amanda Rogers/Te Papa, 2019)

The Single Object: A cultural history of the Toby’s Seafood uniform

Te Papa's Nina Tonga unwraps the story of a fish and chip shop uniform.

By Nina Tonga | 2nd January, 2023

(Photo: Amanda Rogers/Te Papa, 2019)

The Single Object: A cultural history of the Toby’s Seafood uniform

Te Papa's Nina Tonga unwraps the story of a fish and chip shop uniform.

By Nina Tonga | 19th July, 2022

(Photo: Stephen Goodenough)

The Single Object: The brutal beauty of Christchurch Town Hall’s concrete

Concrete is a slurry of cement, water, air, gravel, stones and sand. In Christchurch it's also an essential part of the city's history.

By Jessica Halliday | 18th January, 2022

There’s a fascinating story behind the Civic theatre curtain (Photos: collection of Robyn Tubb; additional design: Tina Tiller)

The Single Object: Flamingos in stitches

The fascinating back story to The Civic theatre's beloved flamingo curtain.

By Sebastian Clarke | 25th November, 2021

Photo: The Single Object

Watch every episode of The Single Object here

Five everyday objects, five incredible stories.

By The Spinoff | 24th August, 2021

David Williams’ pen (Photo: The Single Object)

The story of a mighty pen

Madeleine Chapman inspects a pen, and learns about the power of privilege.

By Madeleine Chapman | 30th May, 2021

Special correspondent

David Williams’ pen (Photo: The Single Object)

The Single Object: How this pen was used to highlight police racism

Watch | One morning in 1978, a university lecturer walked into the police station and made a confession. His crime? Stealing a ballpoint pen.

By The Spinoff | 11th May, 2021

Photo: The Single Object

Heavy metal afterlives: A sideways appreciation of the NZ Chinese Growers Monthly typeface

Kerry Ann Lee looks at the enduring appeal of Chinese typeface and letterpress design in the digital age.

By Kerry Ann Lee | 6th May, 2021

The typeface used to publish the Chinese Growers’ Monthly Journal (Photo: The Single Object)

The Single Object: The typeface that told the stories of Chinese New Zealanders

Watch | This set of heavy lead typeface has a fascinating story to tell about the history of Chinese New Zealanders.

By The Spinoff | 4th May, 2021

John Scott’s Futuna Chapel in Wellington (Photo: The Single Object)

What John Scott taught me about architecture

John Scott broke barriers for Māori architecture – and paved the way for future generations of Māori architects like Jade Kake.

By Jade Kake | 29th April, 2021

The pou in Futuna Chapel (Photo: The Single Object)

The Single Object: The pou of Māori architect John Scott

Video | John Scott’s use of pou in his modernist designs helped bring two architectural worlds together.

By The Spinoff | 27th April, 2021

Lema Shamamba’s embroidery (Photo: The Single Object)

The incredible life story behind this embroidery

Every stitch of Lema Shamamba's embroidery tells a part of her story – and brings her closer to her homeland.

By Madeleine Chapman | 22nd April, 2021

Special correspondent

Lema Shamamba’s embroidery (Photo: The Single Object)

The Single Object: The embroidery with a story to tell

Video | It’s embroidery, but not as you know it.

By The Spinoff | 20th April, 2021

Mike Smith’s chainsaw (Photo: The Single Object)

The rise and fall of the pine on One Tree Hill

The 1994 chainsaw attack on the pine wasn't a simple act of vandalism – it was an act of protest informed by centuries of history.

By Hanahiva Rose | 15th April, 2021

The chainsaw Mike Smith used on Maungakiekie One Tree Hill in 1994 (Photo: The Single Object)

The Single Object: The chainsaw heard across Aotearoa

Video | 'You're in a dangerous place here,' Mike Smith warned a group of teenagers. 'I'm about to drop this tree, and it’s gonna fall on your car.'

By The Spinoff | 13th April, 2021

Photo: The Single Object

Watch the trailer for The Single Object, a new video series coming soon

Five ordinary objects, five incredible stories.

By The Spinoff | 6th April, 2021