Council taking heat over costly logo change

The Auckland Council is getting flak for telling a Council Controlled Organisation to change its branding at a cost of two to three million dollars.

Water and wastewater body Watercare Services is being told to get rid of the logo it's had since 1994 and change it to the Pohutukawa, like the council.

The organisation has so far retained its logo but has added a Pohutukawa at the bottom of all communications.

Councillor Dick Quax says people are not only getting a larger rates bill, they're also having to pay more for water and wastewater.

"All they're going to hear from councils is 'by the way, we're going to charge you an extra three million dollars to change a logo for Watercare Services'."

Mr Quax doesn't believe that's acceptable to the ratepayers of Auckland.

Mayor Len Brown agrees that $2 million for rebranding is ridiculous. He understands Watercare will be using the Auckland Council pohutukawa logo, but it will be introduced over time as old signage is retired to minimise any cost.

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