Tauranga already has a slogan, and it is one that it's had for centuries, says Merivale Community Centre services manager Graham Cameron.

‘Tauranga – Safe Harbour' is a literal translation of Tauranga, and recognition of an environment that has provided a safe and nurturing home to people for hundreds of years, says Graham.

Graham Cameron says there is no need to come up with a new slogan, when one has existed for hundreds of years: ‘Tauranga – Safe Harbour'.

'It is the reason that people continue to migrate to this city today.”

There're two names says Graham. Te Awanui is a name that's still used which refers more to the city end of the harbour, and Tauranga Moana which refers to the whole thing.

'As a name, it would be generations old, probably hundreds of years old now,” says Graham.

A design by Tommy Kapai for ‘Tauranga – Safe Harbour'.

'There's the Tauranga Moana Tauranga Tangata Festival every second year; that term Tauranga Moana Tauranga Tangata is an old name they have that touches on what's special about the region.

'That idea of being a safe harbour is actually an old concept. From my understanding it's certainly something that's been around a long time.”

‘Safe Harbour' is also testament to the significant time and energy that communities, community groups, the Tauranga City Council, police, health and social service agencies have invested in providing a great place for people to live, says Graham.

The police planning and Safe City and Safe Communities campaigns and efforts over the past year saw a 2011 New Year that was comparatively trouble-free.

'The ‘Blow the Whistle' family violence campaign and ‘See Something Say Something' campaign have raised awareness of violence in our families and communities, and encouraged communities to make changes as individuals and families,” says Graham. 'We are regarded as a leader in these areas in New Zealand.

Community groups such as the Merivale Community Centre, the Welcome Bay Community Centre, the Papamoa Resource Centre, and the soon-to-be Arataki Community Centre, work hard in Tauranga's less affluent communities to encourage opportunities and celebrate our people.

'‘Tauranga –Safe Harbour' is a celebration of what's best about our city and its people.”

Tommy Kapai agrees and wrote this in a letter to the editor:

Once again the question is being asked what should be the brand for Tauranga. So far the suggestions through The Sun have not quite hit the mark although HoriBOP has come close.

For my two bob's worth of Tauranga brands, the answer may well have been sitting or floating right in front of us for 150 years with the translation of Tauranga.

When our ancestors arrived they stayed because it felt like a safe place to anchor and made it their home, so they named it Tauranga - a safe place to anchor.

Same goes for many of us today.

'Tauranga - The Safe Anchorage'

Read more slogan suggestions here.