Our Gifted Companion Name
Our gifted companion name
A pathway of growth and development.
Te Ara Whakaritorito sits alongside Human Resources New Zealand as our gifted companion name.
Roughly translated, it speaks to a pathway of growth and development. Te Ara means the pathway, while Whakaritorito speaks to growth and development, drawing on the image of new growth unfurling. Together, they reflect the idea that learning and development continue over time, and that the path ahead keeps opening as we grow.
There is no single path through an HR career. Our members are at different stages, heading in different directions and continuing to develop along the way. HRNZ is here to support them through that growth.
The name also reflects our own direction as an organisation. We are continuing to learn, develop and move forward too.
Te Ara
The pathway.
It reflects movement, progress and the different professional journeys taken by our members.
Whakaritorito
The unfurling of a ponga frond.
It reflects continuous growth, with learning and experience building over time.
Bringing the identity to life
Designing around the story.
Once Te Ara Whakaritorito became part of our identity, we needed to think about how its meaning could come through visually.
We wanted to keep the HRNZ people already know, while creating an identity that better reflects who we are today and where we are heading.
Working with Wonderlab, we built the refreshed identity around the idea of a pathway of growth and development. From the companion name and the waka line within our logo, to our kōwhaiwhai and the way we use imagery, each element has a connection back to the wider story.
The logo
HRNZ remains at the centre.
The established HRNZ name remains prominent, with Te Ara Whakaritorito sitting alongside it as our gifted companion name.
Beneath the companion name, the horizontal line represents the hull of a waka, symbolising the vessel that carries people forward together. It reinforces the ideas of collective progress, shared purpose and the journey represented by Te Ara Whakaritorito.
Together, these elements balance continuity with change, honouring the organisation our members know while reflecting the bicultural identity that continues to shape HRNZ.
The visual elements
Simple elements with a clear role.
Kōwhaiwhai Patterns
The commissioned kōwhaiwhai is an integral part of the HRNZ identity. Created specifically for our rebrand, it draws inspiration from the three whakataukī that guide the way we Grow, Connect and Lead. Woven throughout our communications, it provides a visual thread that connects our identity while reflecting the values at the heart of HRNZ.
He Tāngata | Our People
He tāngata is a guiding principle of our visual identity. By placing people at the centre, we celebrate the members, relationships and communities that make HRNZ what it is. Through authentic imagery, we reflect the real moments of growth, connection and leadership that shape our profession across Aotearoa New Zealand.
How it connects to our work
Grow. Connect. Lead.
Grow
Supporting professional development, lifelong learning and capability at every stage of a career.
Connect
Creating opportunities for members to build relationships, exchange ideas and strengthen the profession.
Lead
Supporting HR professionals to influence organisations, shape workplace culture and create better outcomes.