Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Reflections from Our Exhibition at the University of Canterbury

From October 11 to October 27, the Disarmament and Security Centre (DSC) held an exhibition at the University of Canterbury’s Central Library (Puaka–James Hight Building) to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Presented as part of the Christchurch Heritage Festival, the exhibition invited reflection on the enduring human impact of nuclear warfare and celebrated Aotearoa New Zealand’s proud nuclear-free legacy. It also highlighted the rich anti-nuclear and peace heritage of Ōtautahi Christchurch, a city that has played a long-standing role in national and international disarmament efforts.

The display featured a diverse range of materials, including nuclear-free badges, bumper stickers, origami cranes, peace posters, and publications drawn from the DSC’s collection at the Macmillan Brown Archives. The University of Canterbury Library contributed a selection of books on disarmament, while the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation generously provided a series of posters describing the development, use, and aftereffects of the atomic bomb, and the stories of the survivors (hibakusha). 

The exhibition also paid tribute to those who have made a lasting impact on the local peace movement—most notably Elsie Locke, whose legacy is honoured on campus through the Locke Building, named in recognition of her contributions to peace and disarmament. 

The exhibition received excellent feedback from students, staff, and community members, who valued the opportunity to engage with both global and local stories of peace.

The DSC thanks the University of Canterbury Library and the Christchurch Heritage Festival for their support. This exhibition forms part of the DSC’s ongoing project, “Preserving Aotearoa New Zealand’s Anti-Nuclear Heritage,” with future exhibitions planned for 2026 and 2027. Watch this space!