NMIT was seeking the inclusion of 3–4 Māori design elements, one Māori pattern, and clear usage guidelines to enrich its brand identity. As an institution deeply connected to Te Tauihu o te Waka-a-Māui, NMIT values its whenua, people, and mātauranga Māori. Integrating these design elements helps to reflect the organisation’s commitment to Māori values, regional identity, and the holistic development of ākonga. With the recent return to the NMIT brand, these elements will fill a visual and cultural gap, strengthening the connection between brand, place, and purpose.
This concept is inspired by the pūrakau of the Nelson Boulder Bank (Te Taero a Kereopa). This story conveys a sense of resilience, stability and unity. The Boulder Bank separates Nelson haven from the open sea, serving as a protective barrier. It is the meeting if the land and sea and is a guiding landmark.
The Boulder Bank near Nelson is linked to Kupe. The story tells of Kupe fishing at Chetwode Island when two of his crew, Pani and Kereopa, kidnapped his daughter and fled westward in small waka. Kupe pursued them, but the captors threw the girl into the French Pass, forcing Kupe to rescue her.
Afterward, Pani and Kereopa split. Kereopa hugged the coast, reaching Wakapuaka, where his prayers caused the rocks at Mackay’s Bluff to shift, forming the Boulder Bank, named Te Taero a Kereopa. This created the Nelson Haven. Kereopa's descendants are part of Ngāti Kuia and Ngāi Tahu, known for their expertise in karakia.
The following pattern and elements are simple yet can be easily used to create various imagery. In this context, the niho taniwha symbol is used to symbolise resilience, stability and unity (like the story above).
Manawa Nui
Manawa Roa
Manawa Ora
Manawa Nui
We reach out and welcome in.
This element is representative of a strong foundation. The niho symbol represents the deep and enduring strength of the spirit, the core resilience of individuals or communities and the unshakeable courage that comes from facing challenges.
Manawa Roa
We learn and achieve together.
The manu symbol, through its association with unity, leadership, and adaptability, represents learning and achieving together. Just as birds collaborate in flocks, share wisdom, adapt to their environment, and work towards a common goal, communities can learn, grow, and succeed together.
Manawa Ora
We strengthen and grow the whole person.
The tāniko symbol represents strengthening and growing an individual through its intricate layers, complexity, and connection to whakapapa. The patterns reflect transformation, persistence, and balance, all of which contribute to the development of a person’s inner strength and resilience.
Mahi for Taputapu Toi.