New initiatives, tools and clearer communication aim to make Council more transparent,
inclusive, and easier to work with.
At the Waitaki District Council Meeting today, Council adopted a new Communications and
Engagement Strategy 2025–28 and endorsed a refreshed Council logo – key milestones in its
transformation journey.
The new branding and strategy were developed in-house by Council’s Communications and
Engagement team, with input from elected members and staff, and shaped by community
feedback gathered through consultations, surveys, and the Waitaki Story project.
The strategy provides a roadmap for how Council will better inform, listen, and work alongside
the community. Bringing to life new ways of working, it sets out a more consistent and inclusive
approach to communications and engagement, with a focus on building trust, strengthening
relationships, and making it easier for people to understand and be part of Council’s work.
“One of our Transformation ambitions is to communicate with and engage our community
better in the work we do on their behalf. This is a strategy for all of us – Council staff, elected
members, and our community,” says CE Alex Parmley “This is about more than a logo or a plan.
It’s about how we show up as a Council delivering the best for our community – more open,
more accessible, and more connected to the people we serve.”
“Now is the right time for this shift. Our district is growing and changing, and so must the way we engage and communicate as a Council.”
Key initiatives include a new Communications Toolkit for staff to guide clearer and more
accessible public information, designing a more user-friendly website experience, and stronger
engagement processes that are embedded into project planning from the start.
As part of the strategy rollout, Council has also endorsed a new logo – the first step in refreshing
its visual identity. The new logo reflects the district’s evolving identity and diversity, moving
away from the current brand which is more focused on Ōamaru’s architectural heritage.
The brand will eventually include a refreshed look for all Council’s existing facility and service
brands, making it easier for the community to know when they’re interacting with Council, and a
way to unify Council departments and improve internal alignment.
Mayor for Waitaki Gary Kircher says “I’m very proud of the work our awesome team has done to
develop this strategy and new identity – it’s been thoughtful, collaborative, and built with our
community in mind. Council communications have increased considerably over the years,
increasing awareness and transparency, and we want to keep improving on that work.”
“The previous Council brand has carried us through many significant chapters in our district’s
story. As Waitaki continues to grow and evolve, it’s now time for a refreshed look that better
reflects who we are today and where we’re heading.”
The phased implementation of the strategy will begin in August, with the staged rollout of the
new logo to follow, as materials and signage are updated over time.