The koru pattern is based on the appearance of an unfurling silver fern frond. In te reo Māori it symbolises new life and growth. In this instance we used it to represent tangata whenua (people of the land), whakapapa (heritage) and the cyclical nature of life.
The puhoro is a Māori design used in a kowhaiwhai pattern. It represents speed, swiftness and agility. This is used here to show the speed at which the natural environment and those that inhibit it can become endangered if it is not looked after. This danger can come from human intervention, an idea that is visualised by the puhoro and koru interacting with one another in the design.
At the centre of the design we have used the mangōpare design which is a depiction of the hammerhead shark. The design element represents leadership, tenacity, unrelenting determination, and courage. We incorporated this to show that with leadership (rangatiratanga), courage and determination we are able to sustain the natural environment and its inhabitants.
