Turning Over a New Leaf: Celebrating Our New SLANZA Logo!
We're thrilled to announce a significant milestone: after 25 years, we're embracing something new with the launch of our updated SLANZA logo! This change is more than just a visual update; it reflects the deep commitment and renewed focus of the School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (Te Puna Whare Mātauranga ā Kura).
The logo and its five guiding principles are key to providing direction and focus for SLANZA moving forward. Each principle, represented by a unique Māori symbol (tohu), is an essential element of our work:
Our name in Te Reo Māori, Te Puna Whare Mātauranga ā Kura, translates generally as: The Pool of Schools-based Knowledge. This is supported by the unifying idea that a pool of knowledge will never recede, even if a pool of water does. The proverb reminds us: "He puna wai e mimiti i te rā, he puna mātauranga e kore e mimiti".
SLANZA's vision is to empower and support school library staff, and to strengthen and promote school libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mission is to provide community, guidance, and professional development on library practice and programmes while honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our work.
We're excited for the future as we continue to advocate for the critical role of school libraries in reading, teaching, and learning , and work to improve the professional standing, working conditions and qualifications for all staff involved with school libraries.
The logo and its five guiding principles are key to providing direction and focus for SLANZA moving forward. Each principle, represented by a unique Māori symbol (tohu), is an essential element of our work:
- Tauawhi | Support (Manaia): Symbolising protection, balance, and the messenger of spiritual kaitiaki.
- Tūhononga | Connection (Takarangi): Represents past knowledge and experience linking through time and space with the present.
- Mātauranga | Knowledge (3 Kete of Knowledge): The knowledge Tāne journeyed to gather and bring to earth. This is a core principle underpinning the direction and focus of SLANZA Te Puna Whare Mātauranga ā Kura.
- Hapori | Community (Pikorua): Embodies togetherness no matter where our journeys take us.
- Kōkiri | Advocacy (Mangopare): Symbolises strength, determination, strong will, and fighting spirit.
Our name in Te Reo Māori, Te Puna Whare Mātauranga ā Kura, translates generally as: The Pool of Schools-based Knowledge. This is supported by the unifying idea that a pool of knowledge will never recede, even if a pool of water does. The proverb reminds us: "He puna wai e mimiti i te rā, he puna mātauranga e kore e mimiti".
SLANZA's vision is to empower and support school library staff, and to strengthen and promote school libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mission is to provide community, guidance, and professional development on library practice and programmes while honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our work.
We're excited for the future as we continue to advocate for the critical role of school libraries in reading, teaching, and learning , and work to improve the professional standing, working conditions and qualifications for all staff involved with school libraries.
