It also gives the family and friends who were left behind a way to add their own thoughts to those already expressed here or to remember those who do not have a panel on The Quilt.

Today, the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is made up of

• 16 blocks of 8 panels each
• 11 panels still to be joined to form a block

Mission Statement

Principle aims

• illustrate to individuals and governments the urgency and enormity of the HIV pandemic and the need for an immediate and compassionate response, by revealing the names and lives behind global statistics;
• build a powerful, positive, creative symbol of remembrance and hope, linking diverse people world-wide in the shared expression of our common grief, pain and rage in response to HIV and AIDS;
• encourage donations in every community where the Quilt is displayed, thereby raising needed funds for HIV awareness and education.

Concept

The Quilt has become a valuable resource that helps to encourage both compassion and personal response. By presenting the human face behind the statistics it elicits an emotional response and provides an educational opportunity. It transcends the labels so often associated with this virus and those infected with it.

The Quilt was freely available for travel throughout New Zealand either in its entirety or in separate blocks to any group or community wishing to learn from its message of love and remembrance. Today, it is housed at Te Papa Tongarewa, The Museum of New Zealand in Wellington and parts are still available for loan but with stricter display guidelines than in the past to assist with their preservation.