Nui Pride campaign whips up local spirit

Rod Bannister wants to see the Nui Pride brand spread far and wide. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

Wanganui pride is spreading around the world.

Nui Pride is a brand being promoted by Wanganui's Rod Bannister, the idea coming to fruition after last month's furore over the "zombie town" label stuck on the city.

It takes its inspiration from the successful Taranaki "Hardcore" brand, which has kept Wanganui's neighbour in the public eye for more than a decade.

"It'll challenge the people of Wanganui to see if we do like our place," said Mr Bannister, a masters squash champion and Wanganui cricket coach.

He said the Taranaki Hardcore brand had a real affiliation to its region and was instantly recognisable. It was something he wanted to create with Nui Pride and he is already having success with car stickers being ordered for people in Dubai, Australia, Denmark and Papua New Guinea.

Earlier this year Mr Bannister contacted UCOL and began working with student Sam Pedley to develop the logo.

He is selling the logo on bumper stickers with orders from around New Zealand and overseas, and T-shirts should be available within the next few weeks.

"For me it builds pride your area, where you come from, and shows that you're here to promote that," Mr Bannister said.

The idea had been floating around in his head for a while but the project sat in a file.

The recent talk of declining provincial towns had highlighted the need for such a project to come to fruition, he said.

"It just becomes a talk fest. I thought: Why don't I actually put my money where my mouth is? I just think it's an opportunity for our city to grow up."

The logo represents Wanganui in the black, white and blue colours used by sports teams and the river, which cuts through the wording.

"It's had a really, really good response on social media," said Mr Bannister, who has applied to trademark the logo and name and is planning a stall for the Riverside Traders' Market.

"We're in it for the long term."

Visit Nui Pride's Facebook page for more information. facebook.com/pages/Nui-Pride-original/374193672731974