Information centres' branding spruced up

By SIMON HENDERY

Visitor information centres are being given a branding makeover aimed at sprucing up their image with tourists.

The Visitor Information Network's new "i-site" signs feature the stylised silver fern used by Tourism New Zealand and accommodation and activity grading organisation Qualmark.

Tourism New Zealand's David Wilks said the new logo would help create a consistent image that would benefit the tourism industry.

"I-sites will be a modern and efficient way of utilising the recognisable elements of the information centres - the very well recognised 'i' symbol and the silver fern."

The makeover began with Taupo's information centre last week. The Viaduct Harbour centre became the first Auckland site to be rebranded this week. Centres on Queen Street and at Auckland Airport will follow.

Wilks said the rebrand of the Viaduct site was overdue. Its livery had not changed since it was set up by what was then the New Zealand Publicity Department in 1990.