Otorohanga’s mayoral chains
Ōtorohanga’s mayoral chains could be redesigned to align with the district’s new logo.
Geoff Good
The cheeky suggestion was made by Kāwhia Community Board chair Geoff Good in response to a question from The News about whether he supported a petition asking for a rethink on the council decision to replace the old kiwi logo with Te Ōhanga “The Nest”.
“Ōtorohanga District Council might have to redesign the mayoral chains if they don’t readopt the Kiwiana theme,” said Good, who has been re-elected to the board unopposed.
The council made the decision in November without public consultation, prompting a 380-strong petition asking the council to revisit the decision and explain why the district had not been asked.
Ōtorohanga district’s mayoral chains include a kiwi.
“The Otorohanga Rohe has a rich history that should have been drawn on for a new logo,” Good said.
“I would support rethinking this decision and maybe running a competition for a logo to replace what is essentially just a very unimaginative stylised O.”
“Ōtorohanga District Council hasn’t read the room here. This was a decision that was staff driven and elected members should have insisted on it going to community boards and the community.”
Otorohanga mayoral chains
Good said If the decision was not revisited Ōtorohanga would miss out on an opportunity to have a brand or logo that stands out from the crowd.
“Imagine a logo based around the legend of King Tawhiao placing his hat (potae) on a map, what about the two voyaging waka Tainui and Aotea, throw in a rich farming history and our Kiwiana/Kiwi connections and it’s impossible not to come up with something that looks better than an O that looks like a wreath.”
Nearly all candidates attending a candidates’ meeting at Ōtorohanga College last week said they supported revisiting the decision to rebrand.
However, Good’s fellow community board member Richard Harpur disagreed that a rethink was necessary.
“The new logo is about including all in the nest, weaving us all together,” he said.
“It does not detract from any past logos or change the district’s commitment to past Ideals. Non-violent change is often a window of opportunity, a refreshing opportunity.”
