Media release: Council adopts ratepayers’ favourite logo

20 February 2019

Council unanimously voted in favour of adopting the logo that was the firm favourite of ratepayers. The current, out-dated, mono-cultural council logo, which was developed in 1989, is to be replaced by a circular logo showing Lake Wairarapa and mountains in a modern blue/beige colour-palette.

Results from a survey of 400 randomised South Wairarapa ratepayers showed overwhelming support for one design over the other. Design one was preferred by 62% of ratepayers, who agreed it was an accurate and appropriate representation of the Council, its services and the district.

The survey received an unusually high response rate of 41% (compared to typically 15-25%) showing a high level of engagement and interest of ratepayers in the logo design. There was an even split of responses among genders and across the three towns, and urban and rural ratepayers.

South Wairarapa Mayor says, “we’re very pleased with the outcome. Ratepayers have voiced their opinion and Council has listened.

“It’s wonderful to have a new logo that encapsulates the district’s identity, shows us as modern and progressive council, and acknowledges the important standing of Māori,” says Ms Napier.

The Māori Standing Committee has had critical input into the logo development process, and chose the aspirational Te Reo words to be included on the Council logo. This is unusual, as most council logos include a literal translation of the Council’s name.

Māori Standing Committee Chair Riahania Tipoki says, “the words ‘Kia Reretahi Tātau’ mean ‘let’s fly together’ or ‘let’s collaborate’.

“The inclusion of Wairarapa Moana in the logo signifies an overdue recognition that our natural environment must be inherent in our decision-making processes. The Māori fishing hook depicted in the landscape references the Moana as ‘Te Karu o Te Ika ā Māui’ (The Eye of The Fish of Māui),” explains Mr Tipoki.

Today’s decision is the culmination of a thorough process, which started in February 2018, and has been led by a logo working party. The project has come in well under the $25,000 budget set. Even with adding in the cost to roll-out the logo, which was not within the original budget, it is anticipated that the project will come about 16% under budget. The launch of the new logo is planned for late March and will then be rolled out over a few months.

The final logo is the creative work of South Wairarapa-based agency Satellite Design. The agency developed a series of logo designs, of which two were tested with ratepayers.

Ends

Media contact

Amy Wharram

027 252 2863