A new era for the NZ Paralympic Team
A year out from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the NZ Paralympic Team are gaining a new identity – and calling on Kiwis to show their support for it on the journey to Paris 2024.
World Champion Para cyclist and PNZ Athletes’ Council member Anna Taylor speaks on behalf of Paralympians when she says:
“The NZ Paralympic Team which will represent Aotearoa in Paris next year follows a proud tradition of 227 determined, skilled, and inspiring individuals. It makes me so excited that for the first time ever, we Paralympians will compete wearing our own unique emblem.”
Competing under the fern
Just as NZ Rugby has the Black Ferns and the All Blacks, and the NZ Olympic Committee has the NZ Team, from today Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) and the NZ Paralympic Team will be distinct brands.
The Paralympic Team has competed under the PNZ fern since inception in 1968, 55 years ago. Saatchi & Saatchi developed the new brand with Para athletes deeply involved in shaping its direction. The emblem has been crafted to recognise the unique nature of the Paralympic Team, which includes both summer and winter Paralympians. The two arcs represent the supporters, fans and wider NZ public who come on the journey with the Paralympic Team every two years. Together these elements make One Team, One Spirit.
Together – Ka Tū Tahi
To celebrate the NZ Paralympic Team brand launch, and officially begin the runway to Paris 2024, PNZ and Saatchi & Saatchi share “Together – Ka Tū Tahi”. It’s a striking short film sharing the evolution of the Paralympic Movement in New Zealand.
Paralympics New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Warnecke explains:
“Today is all about the Team. It’s a heritage full of aroha, determination and meaning for so many people. Watch the video, feel the mana of New Zealand’s Paralympians. From today onwards, the NZ Paralympic Team compete under their own identity. It gives me huge pride to hand over this legacy to New Zealand.”
Para athletes undertake a huge journey – physically and mentally – to compete at a Paralympic Games. PNZ expects around 60 of the country’s top Para athletes to be on the longlist. The eventual team could be 30-40 Para athletes, across 6-9 Para sports. This could be an increase of up to 3 Para sports compared to Tokyo 2020.
While PNZ receives Games campaign investment contributions from High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ), the organisation needs to raise much of the funds through commercial partnerships and public fundraising.
Tonight on TVNZ1 at 7pm, Michael Holland will interview Para athletes Anna Taylor and Devon Briggs on Seven Sharp about their runway to Paris 2024. They will share how Kiwis can support them – tune in to hear more.
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is proud to launch a new identity for the New Zealand Paralympic Team.
With your eye on Paris, LA, or Milano Cortina, there is one thing that unites you all … the desire for a place in the history books for representing both New Zealand, and the Paralympic Movement.
Over two years in the making, the new emblem is a natural evolution for the Team who up until today, have represented Aotearoa under the PNZ organisation logo.
With one year until Paris 2024, there is no better time to reveal this exciting change for one of New Zealand’s most successful and inspiring sports teams.
Why?
In the lead up to Tokyo 2020, One Team, One Spirit was launched, a brand positioning unique to the NZ Paralympic Team, designed to unite Paralympians, support staff and fans all over New Zealand.
The development and adoption of One Team, One Spirit demonstrated an appetite for a Team brand.
Strong feedback came through regarding a desire for a brand identity … an emblem earnt by and unique to the Team that you could take true ownership of.
What?
Following a collaborative process with Paralympians, Para athletes, the PNZ Athletes’ Council and key stakeholders, a final emblem was found.
Our objective was to develop a brand unique to the NZ Paralympic Team that resonates with the NZ public, ensuring we continue to grow engagement and recognition of our Paralympians and the Paralympic Games. Deliberate use of a common fern has achieved synergies between the Team and PNZ emblems.
It is our intention to further grow the legacy of the Team and proudly honor the 227 Paralympians who have previously worn the fern with pride.
Who?
Intrinsic to the design was the idea that although our athletes compete in both summer and winter events, they are one. Equally important is the representation of the staunch wider team … supporters, partners, stakeholders, family, friends and of course, the fans. Together these elements make One Team, One Spirit.
Coinciding with 55 years since the NZ Paralympic Team first competed at a Paralympic Games in 1968, the brand identity ensures the Team is promoted equally to its sporting counterparts and will assist in the ongoing development of a strong Team culture.
We acknowledge those who have gone before and seek to inspire generations of Kiwis and Para athletes to come.
We are proud to launch the NZ Paralympic Team emblem.
The emblem
Monday 28 August 2023 celebrates one year until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and public launch of the new brand identity.
Watch the NZ Paralympic Team legacy film ‘TOGETHER – KA TŪ TAHI’ below, detailing the Team’s rich legacy, along with Paralympians and Paris hopefuls sharing their path to Paris 2024.
