TNZ Rebranding: why the Koru?

(Tama Smith & Kiri Riwai-Couch, National Executive Members)

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini.
“My success is not mine alone, but of many.”

This fitting whakatauki aligns with Theatre New Zealand’s kaupapa and relates
to the strength of a community bound by its history and collective effort. These words
further emphasise Theatre New Zealand's commitment to unity and collaboration
essential in the theatre arts community.

Our tohu, the koru design, often associated with the iconic New Zealand silver fern, symbolises the unfurling fern frond and represents new beginnings, growth, and renewal for Te Pūtoi Whakaari o Aotearoa.

As the koru unfolds with grace and strength, Theatre New Zealand aspires to cultivate an inclusive, dynamic artistic community, celebrating the continuous cycle of creation and cultural expression inherent in the koru’s form. The extended line or stem of the koru embodies how historical community theatre work, forms the foundations for contemporary Kaupapa.

As the koru unfurls, it draws strength from this base, much like a new theatrical initiative built upon the rich legacy of past community endeavours. This line ending in the koru is the landscape connecting to the past, enriching present and future creative pursuits, ensuring that the evolution of community theatre remains grounded in a strong tradition while continuously fostering innovation and inclusivity.