Auckland Regional Council says it's flattered that a design for the new super-city logo resembles an old ARC Parks logo.
The design by Jim Dean, is a stylised red pohutukawa with seven stamens representing the seven cities and districts of Auckland, surrounded by a green koru.
However, it is already drawing comparisons to the old design, which also used a pohutukawa flower.
While there is a strong resemblance, ARC chairman Mike Lee says he believes the similarity is unintentional. He hopes the winning design is not changed.
The new Auckland Council comes into being on 1 November.