Guardians designs identity inspired by Aotearoa’s birthplace for ahi kā iwi Rangitāne o Wairau

Rangitāne o Wairau is widely recognised as kaitiaki of Te Pokohiwi o Kupe, the birthplace of the nation, the origin point of a shared story and the place where the foundations of culture in Aotearoa were first laid. Rangitāne o Wairau hold a unique and enduring position within the national whakapapa. Their whenua carries the earliest narratives of human arrival, navigation, settlement and belonging-stories that continue to inform and shape contemporary understanding of identity in Aotearoa.

This landscape is one of courage and vision. It speaks to ancestors who looked beyond the known horizon, reading the stars, the swell of the ocean and the signs of the natural world in their search for a new home. Their arrival marked the beginning of humanity’s relationship with this land – a relationship grounded in respect, reciprocity and deep connection to the islands and oceans of Aotearoa.

The identity developed by Guardians acknowledges this profound moment of arrival and the elemental forces that made it possible. Central to the narrative is fire, Te Ahi Kā Tuatahi – the first fires lit upon this whenua – representing survival, warmth, nourishment and continuity. These home fires symbolise more than physical sustenance; they speak to knowledge passed down, rituals upheld and the enduring spirit of a people who have remained steadfast through generations of change.

Rangitāne o Wairau are the enduring kaitiaki of Aotearoa’s first flame. The identity captures this moment of cultural ignition, expressing a story of raw resilience, endurance and responsibility to future generations. It draws on elemental forms and symbolic references that honour the iwi’s role as protectors of both place and memory, acknowledging that identity is not fixed, but living and forever evolving.

At Te Pokohiwi o Kupe, the warmth and refuge sought by the earliest ancestors was found. It was here that connection to land was established, and where the promise of home became real. Today, that same warmth continues to radiate through the manaakitanga of Rangitāne o Wairau, embodied and practised by their mokopuna, whose generosity of spirit and commitment to people and place carries the legacy forward.

The identity is designed to serve not only as a visual marker, but as a cultural beacon – one that supports Rangitāne o Wairau in expressing who they are, where they come from and where they are going. It provides a platform for engagement with partners, communities and future generations, ensuring that the story of first arrival and enduring tiakitanga remains visible, respected and alive. It also demonstrates the elevation and maturing of tribal entities not only within New Zealand, but across the Indigenous world.

“We draw immense pride from being entrusted with designing such a significant marker of our nation’s whakapapa,” says Anzac Tasker, Founder of Guardians. “This work carries a deep responsibility to honour the past, reflect the present and create something that can support the continued aspirations and progress of Rangitāne o Wairau and their many ventures. Guardians looks forward to seeing this identity live, grow and serve the iwi for generations to come. Kei puta te Wairau.”

“This tohu represents the living identity of Rangitāne o Wairau. It speaks to where we come from and who we are becoming,” says Corey Hebberd, Kaiwhakahaere Matua (General Manager) at Rangitāne o Wairau. “It is grounded in Te Pokohiwi o Kupe, carrying the warmth and manaakitanga that define us as an iwi. It respectfully acknowledges our former tohu, the kōtuku, which has long carried our story, while clearly marking a distinctive step forward. This identity reflects the growth and maturity of Rangitāne o Wairau. It reflects our history, strengthens our pride and presence today, and gives confidence and aspiration to demonstrate where we are heading.”

Hebberd adds: “We are deeply grateful to Anzac Tasker and the team at Guardians for the care, respect and depth of engagement they brought to this work. They took the time to walk alongside us, to listen carefully and to genuinely understand our history, values and aspirations. That care is reflected throughout this refreshed identity.”

Mātauranga Māori: Te Rūnanga o Rangitāne o Wairau
Executive Director: Anzac Tasker
Creative Director: Amy Tasker
Strategic Director: Olivia Darby
Design Lead: Russell Fox
Toi Māori / Digital Artist: Kereama Taepa
Photography: David James
Typography: Phillip Kim
Videography and Film: Keelan Walker

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