The story behind our new visual identity
Our visual identity was created through a collaborative process led by two of our uri artists, Kura Wanikau Tūroa and Johnson Witehira. Working alongside uri and members of the UCT board, this approach ensured the design was grounded in the perspectives and aspirations of our people, reflecting the values and identity of our community.
Kura began by developing initial concepts inspired by the whenua (land), our connection to the maunga (mountains), and the name of our local town, Raetihi, with its ties to moko design. These ideas were further refined by Johnson, who added key elements, including the central figure featuring three repeating koru forms. This figure symbolises the unity of our three iwi groups: Uenuku, Tamakana, and Tamahaki.
Key logo elements: te maunga, te awa me ngā tāngata
The colours of the tohu draw inspiration from our earlier Uenuku logo, honouring our connection to the maunga and our awa tupua (sacred rivers). The soft, rounded lettering reinforces the connection to water, representing its flowing, life-giving qualities. Throughout the process, we prioritised acknowledging and connecting to the UCT brand, recognizing its deep meaning and importance to our community.
This collaborative design process not only celebrates our whakapapa and whenua but also embodies the shared vision and unity of our iwi, ensuring that the final logo resonates with and represents us all.