Client

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Work

Communication Consultancy, Internal Communications, Staff Engagement, Illustration, Animation, Iconography Design

Brief

Fire and Emergency NZ wanted help developing the visual expression for their Māori Outcomes programme — Hiwa-i-te-rangi. How do you communicate important cultural understanding to staff regardless of their individual backgrounds and Te Reo skills? With thoughtful story telling, illustrations and symbols…

Booklet design with illustration by creative agency Wonderlab.
Booklet design with illustration and information graphics by creative agency Wonderlab.
Booklet design with illustration by creative agency Wonderlab.
Large illustrated mural showing brand application by Wonderlab
Booklet design with illustration and information graphics by creative agency Wonderlab.
Poster designs by Wonderlab, print design agency
Posters with illustrations and Te Reo showing brand identity application by Wonderlab.
Mobile phone with illustration by Wonderlab, digital design agency.
The objectives

Communicate that different cultures have different lenses through which they view the world.

The goal

Create a suite of highly accessible visual elements to launch Hiwa-i-te-rangi, a programme that strengthens FENZ’s commitment of working with Māori as tangata whenua by supporting their people to improve their knowledge and understanding of Māori culture, and strengthening and maintaining effective relationships with iwi and Māori leaders.

The process

Ask, listen, understand, and ask some more. FENZ’s Māori advisory team collaborated with Wonderlab every step of the way.

The deliverables

A beautifully illustrated animation of a waka journey through the initial three years of this ten-year programme. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is a star in the Matariki cluster and is connected to prosperity and aspirations. Hiwa means ‘vigorous of growth’. It is to Hiwa that Māori send their dreams and desires for the year in the hope that they will be realised. If we are all in one waka, heading in one direction with no exceptions, it is Hiwa-i-te-rangi that guides us towards our aspirations.

Based on this success, an accompanying illustration of ‘Maui and the magic of fire’ was created to explain Māori cultural respect for fire.

Outcome

Thoughtful and sensitively executed design communication that was driven by collaboration.

Staff feedback

We are proud to say FENZ staff loved it! Particularly the accessible, non-threatening and non-judgemental approach.

Advisory feedback

“Chuffed!” In as little as over a month from launch, 500 people had passed the learning module!

Future feedback

Changing to a ‘new normal’ can take time. Hiwa-i-te-rangi planned for the first three years of a ten-year programme. So watch this space for future feedback…

“

It was extraordinary work - huge thanks Wonderlab NZ!

Nicky Chilton APR, National Manager, Communications and EngagementKaitohu Hoahoa Mātāmua / Principal Advisor, Brand and Design