By Craig Burton
July 15, 2026Tawa College is built on the land of the local iwi authority - Ngāti Toa Rangatira. They wanted to show the importance of this connection through their house names and logos. Likewise, the school values have deeply rooted historic significance. A brand pattern was created to help bring everything together.
The House Logos
The four school houses are named after areas of significance to Ngāti Toa Rangatira - Rangituhi, Whitireia, Parirua (Porirua harbour), Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait). The curriculum framework is a journey through this pepeha. Four house logos were designed to convey the important attributes associated with each name.
Ruakawa
Kupe's journey took him to the coast of Te Waipounamu and he found the entrance to Totaranui (Queen Charlotte Sound) at Kura Te Au (Tory Channel). He named this place from the red colour in water made by the krill that the whales feed on.
The red also represents the discovery of Aotearoa and the arrival of human beings to these shores via Kupe's chase of Te Wheke-a-Muturangi from Hawaiiki to Aotearoa.
Rangituhi
Rangituhi can simply be translated as ‘Sky Glow’, this name ringing true with the setting sun and the colours that would permeate across the ridge line.
Rangituhi was a site abundant with birdlife and plants. Many of the plants would be suitable for use as rongoā (traditional Māori medicine). Freshwater streams were easily accessible and provided drinking water and kai.
Parirua
The name Awarua translates as the two waters. The harbour is made from two tides, Ngā Pari e Rua - two flowing tides. The tide flowing from the east is known as Pāuatahanui and the tide flowing from the west is known as Onepoto.
Te Awarua o Porirua was one of the main reasons why Te Rauparaha decided to settle in the Kapiti region and is considered to be a taonga to Ngāti Toa.
Te Awarua was once plentiful, with kaimoana. Ngāti Toa kaumātua referred to the awa as the food basket for the iwi....The ability to provide kai enhanced the mana of the iwi.
Whitireia
Whitireia may not be considered a mountain when compared to Taranaki or Ruapehu however, in terms of a strategic vantage point it was as lofty as any of the maunga in Aotearoa. From the peak of Whitireia you could see to the Kapiti Coast, along Wellington’s west coast and across Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait) to the South Island. It was an ideal trading post while also allowing any potential threats to be seen.
The School Values Symbols
The school values are Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Reflect and Strive. Tawa College had existing symbols that, as mentioned above, have historic importance. Each symbol has been refreshed to make it more current and professional looking.
Whanaungatanga
The top koru pattern shape represents growth in relationships in the school community. The backward facing koru represents sustaining growth while the forward facing koru represents nurturing growth.
Manaakitanga
The hongi, the touching of noses and the sharing of breath. It represents the joining or coming together of two people in an act of respect and care for each other.
Reflect
The stars of Matariki, or, the Southern Cross. Stars reflect light and, for Māori, they are a symbol of clarity, of wonder, of navigation and of new beginnings, such as, the Māori New Year.
Strive
The Tawa Tree has a pathway like trunk - standing strong and tall with mana. The three koru in the canopy symbolise striving with strength, courage and resilience.
Tawa College's Brand Pattern
As mentioned below, the aronui (triangle) pattern at the base comprises of two main elements. The aronui (left and right) unite to form a ‘V’ shape. This symbolises the Tawa Valley where the college is situated.
The four small aronui at the base symbolise the four house groups.
The aronui stacked on top of these form a large aronui that represents an arrow. This symbolises the striving for excellence by students in each of the school values.
Some visual identity guidelines were proposed. These help to protect the integrity of the school's logo and showcase how a brand pattern is applied to the school's marketing material.
If you have read this far, you might be interested in Levin Intermediate's case study. This explores what visual identity guidelines look like in more detail. You can check that out here.
Alternatively, you may be interested in looking at other high school values symbol examples. Have a look at Pukekohe High School's values symbols here.
Check out Fiordland College's Values Symbols here.
Are you wanting some new school values symbols or house logos?
I would love to chat with you about how we could work together on creating some for your school.
