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New Zealand children's health stamps: Ideological artefacts linking health and place

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  • Kearns, Robin A.
  • Coleman, Tara M.
  • Edmeades, Jonathan

Abstract

This paper addresses a hitherto unexamined phenomenon in the geography of health promotion: the use of postage stamps. We ‘read’ health stamps as featuring imagery and exhortations that reflect temporally-specific understandings of children's health and wellbeing. As a case study, we examine examples of the stamps sold annually since 1929 as a fund-raiser for New Zealand Children's Health Camps Foundation. This government-supported voluntary sector agency sought to offer respite for children from unhealthy environments and enhance their wellbeing through offering opportunities in semi-rural locations focusing on nutrition and exercise. Recently, emphasis changed to concern with behavioural issues such as self-esteem. The annual stamp appeal continued until 2016 with nuanced themes (e.g., birds and butterflies, invoking associated ideas of children as vulnerable yet precious and needing protection). Our goal is two-fold: first, we seek to theorise the role of the postage stamp in mobilising health-promoting messages; and, second, we examine changing imaginaries associated with child health included in this annual series of stamps. Drawing on assemblage theory, we read the act of purchasing children's health stamps as offering a tacit seal of approval for child health. Through assembling resources, personnel and ideas about health, they reflected and reproduced the nation state and its goals for children's health while also crossing national boundaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Kearns, Robin A. & Coleman, Tara M. & Edmeades, Jonathan, 2019. "New Zealand children's health stamps: Ideological artefacts linking health and place," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 38-46.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:227:y:2019:i:c:p:38-46
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.06.021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neil Brenner & David J. Madden & David Wachsmuth, 2011. "Assemblage urbanism and the challenges of critical urban theory," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(2), pages 225-240, April.
    2. Kearns, Robin A. & Collins, Damian C. A., 2000. "New Zealand children's health camps: therapeutic landscapes meet the contract state," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(7), pages 1047-1059, October.
    3. Gesler, Wilbert M., 1992. "Therapeutic landscapes: Medical issues in light of the new cultural geography," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 735-746, April.
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