Kea is 1990's mascot

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 314, 21 November 1989, Page 13

Kea is 1990's mascot

The official mascot for New Zealand' s anniversary year is to be a kea called "Kuki".

Launching the mascot last week, the New Zealand 1990 Commission said the choice of mascot followed the suggestion of a kea by a large number of children in a nationwide competition earlier this year. "In addition to our kotuku (white heron) logo, we wanted a mascot for New Zealand 1990 that could appeal

to younger people and that could represent some of the laughter, fun and adventure elements of the year," 1990 Commissioner, Maurits Kelderman, said today. "Traditionally, New Zealand has been associated with the kiwi. But for our special anniversary year, we thought young people

could come up with something refreshingly new that represented New Zealand and the year the way they wanted it to be." In association with Television New Zealand's afternoon children's programme "3.45 LIVE", the Commission promoted a competition for ideas for a New Zealand 1990 mascot. Most oi' the ideas submitted were fun characters falling into two main groups - sheep or lambs, and keas. "I doubt whether anyone expected the competition to come up with such strong support for a kea as the mascot," Mr Kelderman said. The wining idea for a kea came from 14 year old Paul Logan of Papanui High School in Christchurch. Paul said he chose a kea as the 1990 mascot because "it is friendly and approachable,

cheeky and mischievous". "All sorts of birds have featured as mascots, but never the kea. Yet it's 'out best known South Island bird and is particularly associated with our outdoor lifestyle where trampers, campers and skiers know it's antics only too well". "Kuki Kea", based on Paul's initial idea, will feature at a number of special events throughout the country during 1990, including the World Youth Festival in Christchurch announced today, and the 1990 Commission's traveL ling Roadshow. Soft toy versions of the New Zealand 1990 mascot will also be launched in time for the Christmas market.