OUR BRAND STORY

The toroa

Within the stylised sea and sky blue shape of our iconic maunga, Mauao, tukutuku panels depict the collaboration between TMBC members. This weaving together of knowledge and resources is at the heart of our goal to protect what is precious to us in our whenua and moana.

The three tukuku panels signify the three iwi of the Tauranga Moana region and the colours they share – blue and yellow – are shown here, too.

But the panels also reflect a story that dates back many generations and recalls the time, before colonisation, when toroa – albatross – thrived in Tauranga Moana. The toroa is a traditional kaitiaki for the iwi of Tauranga Moana, both physically and spiritually.

This weaving together of knowledge and resources is at the heart of our goal to protect what is precious to us in our whenua and moana

In the 1800s, local iwi designed and wove tukutuku panels that lamented the revered the bird’s permanent departure from this area.

Our logo includes a modern version of these traditional panels, some of which still hang in our local marae today. It is a reminder that this is the kind of loss we want to prevent for future generations.

If you look carefully, you will see the yellow of the toroa beak in our design, as well as the blue of the sky he inhabits and the white of his sacred feathers.

LOGO DESIGN: SUE PEPPER. CRAFT. DESIGN/ ADVERTISING