The Hibiscus was a different story. Peter, Chris and Geoff looked at the crests of the inaugural clubs - looking for something that embodied the Union. They came up short. There was nothing of significance, nothing symbolic - nothing they felt that would unify the area.

They drew their inspiration from the Hibiscus Coast and set about commissioning the design of what is now synonymous with the Union. Peter comments "We had some horrendous renditions initially and it took sometime to settle on the logo we now use. We wanted something striking, something a little different. It was with this in mind that the Hibiscus design we know today came into being - even to the point that some of the petals sit outside the crest itself. At the time it made us unique"

Many people are unaware that the Harbour name did not exist in the vernacular to describe this region until Harbour Rugby adopted the name to form the Union. Initial discussions for the region focussed on the names Takapuna and of North Shore, but after much debate both names where rejected because of their association with existing clubs within the region - with the North Shore one particularly significant given the age / history of that particular club. One life member of the Union comments "They were the obvious names at the time, but it was evident that we would not use them, and so we considered other names that would unite the clubs. Harbour came up and it stuck" Over the years of course, many other regional organisations have adopted the Harbour name - but it behoves all rugby folk to remember that "brand" Harbour very much has its roots in Rugby."

It also pays to remember that a number of these decisions where not made in the board rooms of glass encased inner city towers, but in fact in the modest living room located at the front of Peters home in Cambridge Terrace, Devonport. "Even the controversial Grey Blazer - which was universally lambasted at the time- came out of that living room" . "It is great to hear that that Blazer still plays a part in the ritual of the ITM Cup team today" comments Peter.

(The grey blazer - originally belonging to Paul Feeney - has been passed down through the years, to the next player in line to obtain his 15 game Blazer. This tradition still continues to this day. Tevita Li - on 14 games - is the current custodian )