The old Otorohanga District Council logo.
Ōtorohanga District Council’s kiwi logo has been replaced by the Te Ōhanga “The Nest” logo.
The decision to replace the council’s kiwi logo with one resembling a nest is being questioned by businesses.
The new logo was created for the 2024-34 Long Term Plan and existed alongside the old kiwi logo, leaving staff uncertain of which one to use.
It and an accompanying brand story cost ratepayers $4830 and was rolled out around the same time as a $100,000 rebuild of the council’s website aligned to the new logo’s colours.
Ōtorohanga mayoral candidate and sitting Kio Kio-Korakonui Ward councillor Rodney Dow was among those who voted against the resolution.
“I am a bit of a traditionalist,” he said. “I thought we were known as the kiwi town. I thought the kiwi was iconic.”
Fellow mayoral candidate and Wharepūhunga Ward councillor Cathy Prendergast voted for the resolution, but told The News she understood the old kiwi logo would also remain in use.
“The new logo definitely reflects the weaving together of everything that we are trying hard for,” Prendergast said.
New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union investigations coordinator Rhys Hurley accused the council of not being up front about its rebranding – but the councillors adopted the Te Ōhanga “The Nest” logo as the council’s sole logo at its December meeting.
Council strategy and community group manager Nardia Gower said the old logo would slowly be phased out. For example, the old logo would not be removed from council vehicles but when the vehicle was replaced the new logo would be added.
Waipā Ward councillor Roy Johnson voted against changing the logo, saying it would be a disservice to Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.
Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust chair Kim Ingham said the trust had not been consulted by the council and was unaware of the change.”
“The council logo featured the three kiwi species that were originally at the kiwi house and given that Ōtorohanga District Council is a great supporter and partner of the kiwi house and our redevelopment, it is a surprise to know that it will be gone.
“Has Ōtorohanga District Council had proper engagement with iwi around this, given that the logo featured a significant taonga species from our area?
He noted Ōtorohanga had businesses with ‘Kiwi’ or ‘Kiwitown’ embedded in their identity and name.
“I think it is a bit of a loss because we have been identified as the Kiwi capital of New Zealand,” said Marain Hurley, chair of Elevate Ōtorohanga, the trading name of Ōtorohanga District Development Board.
“I can understand that The Nest is about bringing the community together.”
Hurley said the change had not been discussed by her board.
Karam and John Haddad Menswear owner John Haddad was not impressed.
“The Nest? What the hell does that mean? he said.
“I would have thought that they would have had a lot more to worry about than the council logo. If I had been consulted about it, I would have been able to tell them that it was not a good idea.
“We are the Kiwi town of New Zealand.”
