The design of the Kōhanga Reo logo (tohu) came from within the metropolis of Tāmaki Makaurau. This is not a widely published fact, but one we are humbly proud of.  

In the 1980s, a competition was held to seek a design for the Kōhanga Reo tohu. Michelle Brown, who was affiliated to the Purapura Pai Kohanga Reo based at the whare Wananga, Birkdale college submitted her design and consequently won.

The following explanation of her design is taken from Te Whakaoho i te pito mata, Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Conference Handbook 2011. 

“The Kōhanga Reo is a family situation. The shoots represent the parents, and the child is in their care. The family (or seed as depicted here) can and will survive alone but needs the extended family (aunts, uncles, parents, cousins, friends etc) to come to its full potential. 

The extended family is all around, so they are represented by the air (above the plant) and the earth (below the plant). Each is necessary for the plant to live and grow.” 

Ko Michelle Brown tēnei.