![]() Coat of arms of New Zealand used since 1956 | |
Heraldic tradition | Gallo-British |
---|---|
Governing body | College of Arms (disputed) |
Chief officer | Phillip O'Shea, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary |
New Zealand heraldry is the term for the style of armorial achievements, sometimes known as coats of arms, and other heraldic bearings and insignia used in New Zealand. It largely follows the Gallo-British tradition of heraldry also followed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Australia.
Most grants of heraldic arms to New Zealand residents or institutions have been made by the English College of Arms or the Scottish Court of the Lord Lyon, though a small number have also been granted by the Chief Herald of Ireland and the State Herald of South Africa. [1]
New Zealand does not presently have its own independent heraldic authority which grants or records arms, [1] though the College of Arms in London claims to be "the official heraldic authority for...New Zealand". [2] According to the guidelines of the Cabinet Manual, the College has been delegated these responsibilities by the Sovereign of New Zealand in their capacity as the "Fount of all Honour". [3] However, the legal basis for this "official" status for the College of Arms is disputed. [4] [5]
On 6 February 1978 Queen Elizabeth II established the New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary as the officer of arms responsible for advising the Crown, New Zealand government and New Zealand Defence Force on heraldic matters, and for liaising between New Zealand and the English College of Arms. Although affiliated with the College of Arms, the New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary lives and works in New Zealand, and is not a member of the College Chapter. [6] The current New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is Phillip Patrick O’Shea. [7] [8]
The heraldry of New Zealand has added indigenous animals (mostly birds) to the existing heraldic bestiary, [9] along with native flora and traditional Māori motifs.
Some, but not all, local authorities in New Zealand use heraldic arms. [10] The arms of the capital, Wellington, combines elements from the arms of Aurthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington with elements from the national coat of arms. [11] The coat of arms of the City of Christchurch also has charges from the national arms. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, does not currently use any arms. [12]
The unauthorised use of a coat of arms of a local authority can be an offense. [13]
Arms | Local authority | Date | Blazon / Description | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Hamilton City Council | 1946 | Escutcheon: Barry-wavy of eight argent and azure; on a bend verte, 3 oxen heads erased, or. Crest: A mural crown. Supporters: A pūkeko, on either side, rampant proper. | [14] [15] [16] |
Link to file | Tauranga City Council | c.1963 | The Tauranga coat of arms comprises brown wool bales on a royal blue background in the top left, a gold sheaf of wheat on a red background in the top right, and a grey ship on a blue background at the bottom of the shield, with a rising sun as the crest. Motto: Advance | [17] |
Link to file | Rotorua Lakes Council | 1963 | Escutcheon: Azure on a chevron or a rainbow trout leaping proper between in chief a pine tree and a sprig of kōwhai leaved slipped and flowered and a geyser issuing from rock in base all also proper. Crest: On a wreath of the colours a male huia bird standing in a brake of New Zealand fern proper. Supporters: On the dexter side a figure representing a farm settler of the nineteenth century, at his feet a cattle dog sejant and on the sinister side a figure representing a Māori chieftain all proper. Motto:Tātau tātau ("We together") | [18] |
Link to file | Gisborne District Council | The shield of the Gisborne coat of arms is silver, with a wavy blue chief representing the sea and a blue reversed pall representing the Taruheru and Waimata rivers combining into the Tūranganui River. On the chief is a depiction of the HMS Endeavour, on either side of the pall are two red bulls' heads representing agriculture, and in the base there is a blue mitre. The crest depicts the sun rising out of the clouds over Mount Hikurangi. As supporters there are two lions rampant, taken from the coat of arms of William Gisborne. The lion on the left is black with white ermine spots, has two tails and is gorged with a gold dovetail collar. The lion on the right is gold and is gorged with a black dovetail collar. The arms are shown over a compartment depicting the prow and stern pieces of Horouta and Tākitimu, two of the original Māori migration canoes, separated by a depiction of the koruru from the original Tūranga wharenui. | [19] | |
![]() | Napier City Council | 1951 | The shield of the Napier coat of arms is white with wavy blue bars over which is a depiction of the golden fleece, representing the wool industry, and with three red roses on a white chief, taken from the arms of Francis Napier, 6th Lord Napier. The crest depicts the inverted wing and claw of a hawk, taken from the arms of Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke, holding a wahaika . The supporters are a kiwi on the right side and a lion rampant on the left, both golden. Motto: Faith and Courage | [20] [21] |
![]() | Hastings District Council | 1993 | Escutcheon: Per pale Vert and Argent, in dexter a cross-crosslet fitchy Or (for Havelock North Borough Council); in sinister, on a cross carved with a Māori pattern Gules, a sun in splendour Or (for Hawke's Bay County Council); on a chief party per pale Argent and Vert, a lion passant guardant, armed and langued Gules within an orle of fern leaves all counterchanged (for Hastings City Council). An inescutcheon Or charged with a manche Gules (for Warren Hastings). Crest: On a wreath of the colours, clouds Argent, rays Or, a sunburst supporting a toothed wheel, perforated of six, centred and rimmed Argent, Gules. Supporters:Dexter, a ram, tail couped, horned and hoofed Or, proper, supporting on a staff proper palewise flying to the dexter an ensign Sable, two bars Argent edged and charged with a hawk rising Or (for Hawke's Bay and Lord Hawke). Sinister, a bull, armed and hoofed Or, supporting a staff proper palewise flying to the sinister, edged Or, a New Zealand Ensign; all supported by a profusion of apples, pears, peaches, grapes and miro berries with their leaves, surmounting a Māori style carved panel representing Rongomatane and Haumia-tiketike, all proper. Motto:Urbis Et Ruris Concordia ("Town and Country in Harmony") | [22] [23] |
Link to file | Central Hawke's Bay District Council | The shield of the coat of arms of Central Hawke's Bay is green with a sun between a sheaf of wheat on the left and a fleece on the right in the chief and with a lymphad in the base, all gold. The chief and base are separated by a white fess with two wavy blue bars, representing the Waipawa and Tukituki rivers. | [24] | |
| Whanganui District Council | 1955 | The shield of the coat of arms of Whanganui is red with silver shells in the bottom left and top right, taken from the arms of William Petre, 11th Baron Petre, separated by a wavy silver bend, representing the Whanganui River, having a blue lymphad in the centre and a red lymphad on the top left and bottom right taken from the arms of William Hogg Watt. On either side of the silver bend are gold wavy bands. On a silver chief there is a ram's head with an open book on either side. For the crest there is a depiction of the Rutland Stockade. The supporters are a blue lion rampant guardant defaced with a depiction of the Southern Cross on the left, and a tuatara on the right. Motto:Sans Dieu Rien ("Without God Nothing") | [25] [26] |
Link to file | Manawatū District Council | The shield of the coat of arms of Manawatū District is green with three huia feathers in the base, taken from the badge of the Feilding Agricultural High School and in the chief a ram's head on the left and cogwheels on the right. On a fess there are two silver bars, representing the Pohangina and Oroua rivers, separated by five golden lozenges, representing Feilding, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Oroua and Pohangina and inspired by the arms of the Earl of Denbigh and the Duke of Manchester. | [27] | |
![]() | Palmerston North City Council | 1989 | The arms of Palmerston North contain several visual puns on the name of the city. The shield of the coat of arms of Palmerston North is gold on the left and blue on the right and having a bordure which is blue on the left and gold on the right. On the left side of the shield is a blue eagle with its wings displayed, having a red tongue and claws, and wearing a gold crown. On the right side of the shield is a gold tower. On top of a mural crown, the crest is a red lion passant with blue tongue and claws holding a scallop shell (taken from the badge of a palmer) in its right paw, framed by palm fronds. For supporters, on the left side is a Māori chief representing the tangata whenua and on the right is a European woman representing the European settlers. Motto:Palmam qui meruit ferat ("Let him, who has earned it, bear the palm") (the motto of Lord Nelson) | [28] [29] |
Link to file | Upper Hutt City Council | 1978 | The shield of the coat of arms of Upper Hutt is white with two kererū facing each other in the chief and a tōtara in the base, separated by a wavy blue fess which represents the Hutt River. The crest comprises a New Zealand falcon standing in front of a rock. Motto:Nihil altius pulchriusue ("Nothing higher nor more beautiful") | [30] |
![]() | Hutt City Council | 1955 | Escutcheon: Argent on Water in base Barry Wavy a Barquentine in full sail proper, flying at the fore-mast a Flag Azure, thereon a representation of the constellation of the Southern Cross Or; on a Chief Vert a Cog wheel between two Garbs Gold, over all a Canton Argent charged with a Chevron between three Fleurs de lys Sable. Crest: A Tūī Bird holding in the beak a spring of Kōwhai flowered proper. Supporters: On the dexter side the figure of a Farmer supporting with the interior Hand a long-handled Shovel resting his exterior hand on a Sheep Dog sejant, and on the sinister side the figure of a Māori Warrior vested proper, supporting with the interior Hand a long Spear also proper. | [31] [32] [33] [34] |
![]() | Porirua City Council | 1969 | Escutcheon: Vert two Piles Barry wavy of ten Argent and Azure. Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Lymphad proper Sail set Pennon flying Gules Flags flying Azure a Whale proper. Supporters: On the dexter side a Private Soldier of the 58th Regiment of Foot in the uniform of the early Nineteenth Century and on the sinister side a Māori Warrior both proper. Motto:Mo Te Katoa Nga Mahi ("All That is Done is For the Benefit of All") | [35] |
![]() | Wellington City Council | 1878 | Escutcheon: Quarterly Gules and Azure, a Cross Or between; In the first quarter a Fleece Or; in the second quarter on Water barry wavy proper in base a Lymphad sail furled pennon and flags flying Argent; in the third quarter a Garb Or; in the fourth quarter five Plates in Saltire Argent. Crest: On a Mural Crown Argent a Dolphin Naiant Azure, Mantled Gules. Supporters: On the dexter side a Lion gorged with a Collar and Chain reflexed over the back Or, and on the sinister side a Moa proper. Motto:Suprema a Situ ("Supreme by position") | [36] [37] [38] |
![]() | Nelson City Council | 1958 | Escutcheon: Barry wavy Argent and Azure a Cross Flory Sable on a Chief also Azure a Mitre proper. Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours Issuant from a Mural Crown proper a Lion rampant Gules holding between the fore paws a Sun in splendour or. Supporters: The supporters on the dexter side a Huia Bird and on the sinister side a Kōtuku both proper. Motto:Palmam qui meruit ferat ("Let him, who has earned it, bear the palm") | [39] [40] |
![]() | Christchurch City Council | 1949 | Escutcheon: Or on a Chevron Gules a Mitre between a Fleece and a Garb of the first in base two Bars wavy Azure on a Chief of the last four Lymphads sails furled also of the first. Crest: On a wreath Or and Azure a Kiwi proper. Supporters: On either side a Pūkeko proper. Motto:Fide Condita, Fructu Beata, Spe Fortis ("Founded in faith, rich in the fulfilment thereof, strong in hope for the future") | [41] [36] [37] [42] |
Link to file | Ashburton District Council | 1966 | The shield of the coat of arms is white with a wavy blue fess representing Ashburton River / Hakatere charge with a golden waka. In the chief is a red mural crown in the centre, with a green trefoil on either side (taken from the arms of the Turton family), and in the base is the head of a bear wearing a blue muzzle (taken from the arms of Lord Ashburton). For the crest it has a ram's head in front of a sheaf of grain which is quartered in green and gold. The supporters on both sides are pied stilts. Motto:Fides Probata Coronat ("Faith Confirms What Has Been Proved Good and True") | [43] [44] |
Link to file | Timaru District Council | 1977 | The shield of the coats of arms of Timaru is blue charged with a golden fleece on both the right and left sides, and having a gold wavy chief charged with two red lymphads. Beneath a chevron division on a white background (representing Aoraki / Mount Cook), the base is charged with a blue plough. For the crest, standing on a mural crown and in front of a rising sun is a kiwi. The supporters are two white hippocamps with blue "T"s hanging from chains around their necks, on top of a compartment of blue and white wavy bars representing the sea. Motto:Palma non sine pulvere ("No Reward Without Effort", lit. 'palms not without dust') | [45] [46] [47] |
![]() | Dunedin City Council | 1947 | Escutcheon: Argent above a Fess Dancette Vert, a Castle Triple-Towered sable on a Rock issuing from the Fess, Masoned Argent, with Windows, Vanes and Portcullis Gules. In the base a Three-Masted Lymphad with Sail Furled Azure, Flagged of Scotland, a Ram's Head Affrontee Horned Or between Two Garbs of the last. Crest: A Mural Crown. Supporters: On the Dexter a Scotsman Habited with Philabeg and Plaid of the Clan Cameron, supporting in His Exterior Hand a Cromach; on the Sinister a Māori Chief attired in Korowai (waist mat), Two Huia Feathers in his hair, an Aurei (greenstone ear pendant) and a Hei Matau (greenstone neck pendant) and in His Exterior hand a Taiaha. Motto:Maiorum Institutis Utendo ("By following in the steps of our forefathers") | [48] [36] [37] [49] |
![]() | Invercargill City Council | 1958 | Escutcheon: Or, on three Bars Wavy Gules a Ram's Head Horned Affrontee proper, on a Chief Wavy Azure a Lymphad Argent, Flagged Gules between two Garbs Or. Crest: A Mural Crown Argent. Supporters: On either side a Takahē proper. Motto:Pro Communi Utilitate ("For the Use of the Community") | [50] [51] [37] |
Link to file | Southland Regional Council | 1958 | Escutcheon: Quarterly, first, Or, on a reedy mount vert a Notornis bird Proper, beaked and membered Gules (for Southland); second, Gules, a dexter arm vambraced, the hand brandishing a sword Proper (for Wallace); third, Azure, three piles wavy issuant from the dexter bendways Argent (for Fiordland); fourth, Or, an island Vert surmounted of a fess chequy Azure and Argent (for Stewart Island). Supporters: Dexter a Merino ram and sinister a Merino ewe Proper. Motto: Above the shield in an Escrol Murrey in Letters Or is placed this Motto "SOUTHLAND", and on a compartment Vert below the Shield, along with an Escrol Argent bearing in letters Sable this Motto "IN UNITY WE PROGRESS". | [52] |
Arms | Local authority | Dates | Blazon / Description | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Auckland City Council | 1911-2010 | Escutcheon: Argent, upon waves of the sea a two-masted ship in full sail proper flagged Gules, on a chief per pale Azure and Gules to the dexter a Cornucopia Or, to the sinister a Shovel surmounted by a Pick, in Saltire proper. Crest: Issuant out of a Mural Crown Or a representation of the Phormium Tenax flowered proper. Supporters: On either side an Apteryx (or Kiwi) proper. Motto: Advance. | [36] [37] |
| Waitakere City Council | 1973-2010 | Escutcheon: Per pall reversed azure and argent on a chevron engrailed or and sable between in chief a bunch of grapes slipped and leaved argent, and a tower gules and in base a bulls head caboshed sable, armed and ringed of five ermine spots counterchanged. Crest: On a mural crown or masoned vert, an arm couped bendwise habited in a maunch sable bezanty each bezant charged with an ermine spot sable, cuffed ermine lined gules, the hand proper supporting an orb vert banded and ensigned with a cross crosslet or, mantled sable doubled or. Motto:Te Pai Me Te Whairawa ("The Goodness and the Wealth") | [53] |
Link to file | Manukau City Council | 1968-2010 | Escutcheon: Azure on a Chevron Or between in chief two Seagulls volant and respectant proper in base a Lymphad sail set pennon and flags flying Or a Bull's head caboshed Sable armed proper between two Cogwheels Sable. Crest: On a Wreath Or and Gules perched on battlements of a Tower proper in front of an aeroplane propellor Or a Seagull wings elevated proper. Motto:Ante Alios Prosili ("Be ahead of the times") | [54] |
Link to file | Howick Borough Council | 1955-1989 | The shield of the coat of arms of Howick is blue with a white "medieval ship" (representing the ship Minerva) and white and blue bands representing the sea in the base. In the chief on a white background is a depiction of a well on the left, and a cannon on the right. The symbols were intended to represent the Fencibles and their families, as the first European settlers in the area, and Howick's establishment as a military settlement. For the crest it had a golden scallop shell (the emblem of Saint James). Motto: To Serve With Good Will (The motto of Sir Henry George Grey, Viscount Howick) | [55] [56] |
Link to file | New Plymouth City Council | 1941-1989 | The shield of the coat of arms of New Plymouth is divided into quarters, separated by a blue cross bordered with white and surmounted with five stars also arranged in a cross. The top left quarter depicts a Jersey cow in a field. The top right quarter depicts a berthed merchant vessel. The bottom left quarter depicts a green hei-tiki on a brown background. The bottom right quarter depicts New Plymouth Airport, Mount Taranaki and the Southern Cross monoplane. Behind the shield are depictions of four traditional Māori weapons: a taiaha in the top left, a hoe (paddle) in the lower left, a ko-a (digging implement) in the top right, and a tewhatewha in the lower right. Motto:Mauri Mahi Mauri Ora ("The Industrious Heart Lives") | [57] |
Some New Zealand corporations and institutions have their own coats-of-arms, including several New Zealand universities such as University of Auckland, [70] Massey University, [71] the University of Waikato, [72] and the University of Otago. [73]
The other countries of the Realm of New Zealand, the associated states of the Cook Islands and Niue and the dependent territory of Tokelau, have their own heraldic emblems. The Cook Islands has their own armorial bearings (coat of arms) using unique local elements, [84] since 2021 Niue has had a seal based on traditional Niuean elements (replacing their previous one based on the New Zealand coat of arms), [85] while Tokelau has a badge based on a traditional Tokelauan tuluma. [86]
Heraldry is discussed and studied by The Heraldry Society of New Zealand, a learned society under the patronage of the governor-general. [87] [88] The society publishes The New Zealand Armorist. Its homepage is called Onward. [89]
In heraldry, supporters, sometimes referred to as attendants, are figures or objects usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up.
The coat of arms of the United Kingdom are the arms of dominion of the British monarch. They are the personal arms of the monarch, currently King Charles III, and are used as the arms of the state. In addition to the monarch, the arms are used by state institutions, including the UK Government, Parliament, and judiciary. Differenced versions of the arms are used by members of the British royal family. The monarch's official flag, the Royal Standard, is the coat of arms in flag form.
Wellington City Council is a territorial authority in New Zealand, governing the city of Wellington, the country's capital city and third-largest city by population, behind Auckland and Christchurch. It consists of the central historic town and certain additional areas within the Wellington metropolitan area, extending as far north as Linden and covering rural areas such as Mākara and Ohariu. The city adjoins Porirua in the north and Hutt City in the north-east. It is one of nine territorial authorities in the Wellington Region.
Te Awamutu is a town in the Waikato region in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the council seat of the Waipa District and serves as a service town for the farming communities which surround it. Te Awamutu is located some 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Hamilton on State Highway 3, one of the two main routes south from Auckland and Hamilton.
The Porirua City Council is the territorial authority for the city of Porirua, New Zealand.
Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is 60 kilometres north of Whangārei, located close to the historic towns of Russell and Kerikeri. Missionary Henry Williams named the mission station Marsden's Vale. Paihia eventually became the accepted name of the settlement.
Auckland City was a territorial authority with city status covering the central isthmus of the urban area of Auckland, New Zealand. It was governed by the Auckland City Council from 1989 to 2010, and as a territory within the wider Auckland Region, was also governed by Auckland Regional Council. Auckland City was disestablished as a local authority on 1 November 2010, when Auckland City Council was amalgamated with other councils of the Auckland Region into the new Auckland Council. At the time of its disestablishment, the city had a resident population of around 450,000.
The coat of arms of New Zealand is the heraldic symbol representing the South Pacific island country of New Zealand. Its design reflects New Zealand's history as a bicultural nation, with a European female figure on one side and a Māori rangatira (chief) on the other. The symbols on the central shield represent New Zealand's trade, agriculture and industry, and a Crown represents New Zealand's status as a constitutional monarchy.
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, formerly the Church of the Province of New Zealand, is a province of the Anglican Communion serving New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. Since 1992 the church has consisted of three tikanga or cultural streams: Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia. The church's constitution says that, among other things, it is required to "maintain the right of every person to choose any particular cultural expression of the faith". As a result, the church's General Synod has agreed upon the development of the three-person primacy based on this three tikanga system; it has three primates, each representing a tikanga, who share authority.
New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is an officer of arms representing the heraldic interests of New Zealand. Although affiliated with the College of Arms in London, the New Zealand Herald lives and works in New Zealand, and is not a member of the College Chapter. Since the New Zealand Herald was appointed, there have been questions as to his legitimacy and whether, as working under the authority of the College of Arms, he has any legal authority to regulate heraldry in New Zealand. The current New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is Phillip O'Shea.
New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island —and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island country by area and lies east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and south of the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. The country's varied topography and sharp mountain peaks, including the Southern Alps, owe much to tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland.
Wellington Regional Council, branded as Greater Wellington Regional Council, is the regional council overseeing the Wellington Region of New Zealand's lower North Island. It is responsible for public transport under the brand Metlink, environmental and flood protection, and the region's water supply. As of 2023, it is the majority owner of CentrePort Wellington with a 77% shareholding.
The Invercargill City Council is the territorial authority for the city of Invercargill, New Zealand.
The Heraldry Society of New Zealand, established in 1962, is the principal New Zealand learned society concerned with the scholarly study of heraldry.
National symbols of New Zealand are used to represent what is unique about the nation, reflecting different aspects of its cultural life and history.
Housing in New Zealand was traditionally based on the quarter-acre block, detached suburban home, but many historical exceptions and alternative modern trends exist. New Zealand has largely followed international designs. From the time of organised European colonisation in the mid-19th century there has been a general chronological development in the types of homes built in New Zealand, and examples of each generation are still commonly occupied.
The armorial of British universities is the collection of coats of arms of universities in the United Kingdom. Modern arms of universities began appearing in England around the middle of the 15th century, with Oxford's being possibly the oldest university arms in the world, being adopted around the end of the 14th century. The earliest granting of university arms was to King's College Cambridge by Henry VI in 1449. Arms are granted by the College of Arms and Lyon Court. It has been suggested that new universities register arms in an attempt to appear more traditional or legitimate. As corporations, older university arms have historically been granted without a crest, however newer institutions use crests with mantling, including new colleges at older universities. The first crest granted to a university was to Leeds in 1905 while the first British university to be granted supporters was Sussex in 1962, although both Oxford and Cambridge have used angels as supporters and Cambridge has used the 'alma mater' emblem as a crest without these components being officially granted.
Pasifika New Zealanders are a pan-ethnic group of New Zealanders associated with, and descended from, the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands outside of New Zealand itself. They form the fourth-largest ethnic grouping in the country, after European descendants, indigenous Māori, and Asian New Zealanders. Over 380,000 people identify as being of Pacific origin, representing 8% of the country's population, with the majority residing in Auckland.
Australian heraldry is the style and tradition of using armorial achievements, sometimes known as coats of arms, and other heraldic bearings and insignia in Australia. It largely follows the Gallo-British tradition of heraldry also followed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand.
The following is an armorial of the individuals, who have served as governor-general of New Zealand.