Logo image designed by Astin Lee-Phillips
The Kōtuku is a rare sight in New Zealand, “He kotuku rerenga tahi” – “a white heron’s flight is seen but once” and has long associations with our area; from the beautiful blue waters of the Waitematā, spanning across the whenua of Te Kawerau ā Maki, the rich greenery that adorns the majestic Te Wao Nui ā Tiriwa | The Waitākere Ranges and the breath-taking and mighty West Coast. We see it from the harbour peninsula of Te Atatū in the east, where schools, businesses and charitable trusts proudly display the image of the kōtuku, to the naming of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kotuku situated on the foothills of the ranges, and on westwards to our highest waterfall (100m) now the site of the Waitākere Dam, previously known as Te Awa Kōtuku, so named because it was likened to the tail feathers of the kōtuku, as its plume stood out against the green background of the surrounding forest.
The Kotuku symbolises uniqueness, strength, and leadership. As RTLB we recognise the uniqueness and strengths of the mokopuna we serve, and willingly take on the mantle of leadership within our schools and community. In likeness to the kotuku who are known for nurturing their young and guiding them to flight, we as RTLB take stakeholders ‘under our wing’ and support them, until they too take flight and soar.
Waitakere RTLB link closely to this beautiful bird and all it symbolises.
Hāpai Tātou
“Just as the Kōtuku extends its broad wings to take off and elevate itself to reach
new heights, so do Waitākere RTLB collaborate to uplift our tamariki, their whānau, and everyone we work with,
to reach their goals.”