FNDC brand gets te reo Māori refresh

Far North District Council is ‘walking the talk’ in its goal to boost the use of te reo Māori within the organisation by refreshing its 35-year-old logo.

Mayor Moko Tepania says the logo was created when four counties and two boroughs were amalgamated to become the Far North District Council in 1989. The logo, featuring the now-familiar blue and green koru design, included the phrase: Te Kaunihera o Tai Tokerau ki te Raki.

“But guess what; it isn’t a traditional name to reflect where we live in te reo Māori,” says Kahika Tepania.

In September 2023, the council adopted its Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Policy, which was developed by Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee. 

“Our district has the most te reo speakers per capita anywhere in the country. Last year, I was proud that our council adopted a te reo Māori policy. It shows the importance we place on our indigenous language.”

At the time, iwi partners voiced support for a logo refresh. In keeping with that mandate, the mayor asked council staff to update the phrase used in the logo. “Today, I’m really proud that we are refreshing the council logo and restoring the indigenous name for our area: Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika – the tail of the fish.

“Although it’s a small gesture, it’s a gesture to show we are walking the talk.”

The update follows similar changes undertaken by central government agencies, and by local authorities such as Hastings, Stratford and Tasman district councils, and Upper Hutt City Council.

Kahika Tepania says several design options were created before a final version was adopted and that it is based on best-practice design principles and bilingual guidelines.

He says the refresh does not alter the council’s legal name – Far North District Council – and will have no financial impact for ratepayers beyond staff time required for the redesign.

“We’re proud here in the Far North to be Te Hiku o te Ika – the Tail of the Fish and the birthplace of the nation. I’m particularly excited to make this announcement ahead of Waitangi Day commemorations.”

The new logo will be rolled out first to digital platforms like the council website and emails. It will be applied to physical assets, such as signs and stationery, when these are created or replaced as normal.

Kahika Moko Tepania explains the logo refresh in our video below.