Our Inspiration

Te Kāpehu o te Haerenga (Navigating Together)

Te Kāpehu o te Haerenga (Kāpehu – compass, Haerenga - journey, trip, parting) is the name of Metlink’s tohu (design), the visual representation of who we are and what we do.

Te Kāpehu o te Haerenga is the cultural anchor for Metlink’s brand, guiding design, storytelling, and connection.

Toi Māori (Māori design) plays a vital role in shaping an inclusive, culturally grounded public transport network. Our Wellington region is rich in Māori heritage, and the integration of toi Māori design acknowledges mana whenua, strengthens local identity, and reflects the unique cultural landscape of our rohe (environment).  

For Metlink, embracing toi Māori reinforces its commitment to partnership with mana whenua, supports cultural sustainability, and contributes to a more connected, respectful, and vibrant regional network.

Meaning and story

Te Kāpehu o te Haerenga brings together elements of toi Māori to express public transport as a living journey of connection, guidance, and belonging. 

At its foundation is ngā hau e whā, the four winds, welcoming people from all directions, cultures, and walks of life. It reflects manaakitanga, shaping a transport experience grounded in care, safety, dignity, and inclusion. 

Guiding this journey is ngā whetū, the star compass. Drawing on traditions of Māori navigation - where land and sky hold knowledge - it reminds us that every journey is more than movement. It connects people to place, to history, and to the stories of the whenua they travel through. 

At the heart of the design is tūhonotanga, deep connection. Like interwoven pathways, the network brings communities together, enabling relationships, opportunity, and shared experience. Travel becomes more than getting from one place to another; it becomes a space for connection. 

Flowing through it all is wiri, the energy of movement and life. It expresses the living mauri (life-force) within each journey: the constant motion of people, stories, and purpose moving together. It recognises public transport not just as infrastructure, but as a vital part of community wellbeing and environmental balance. 

Together, these elements form a narrative grounded in Māori knowledge, while remaining open and meaningful to all. It invites every traveller to be part of a shared journey, one that honours the past, connects the present, and moves forward together.

Learn more

Watch the video linked below to find out more about the meaning behind the design.

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