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Story: Children’s play

'A Buzzy Bee for Siulolovao'

Image
Painting of buzzy bee above villa in rural setting

Countless Kiwi children have pulled behind them the bright wooden Buzzy Bee, which has become a piece of ‘kiwiana’ – everyday items which contribute to a sense of New Zealand identity. In this 1977 work, artist Robin White has put the toy above a typical New Zealand villa.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki

by Robin White

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Peter Clayworth, Children’s play – Toys, commercialism and technology, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/2580/a-buzzy-bee-for-siulolovao (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Peter Clayworth, published 3 March 2009.