Until 26 August 1911 New Zealand used the British coat of arms. On that day the first distinctly New Zealand armorial bearings were authorised by Royal Warrant. This is their description:
Arms: Quarterly, Azure and Gules on a Pale Argent three Lymphads (sailing vessels) Sable. In the first quarter four Mullets in cross of the last each surmounted by a Mullet of the second (representing the Constellation of the Southern Cross); in the second quarter a Fleece; in the third a Garb (wheat sheaf); and in the fourth two Mining Hammers in Saltire all Or.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a demi-Lion rampant guardant Or supporting a flag-staff erect proper thereon flying to the sinister the Union Flag. Supporters: On the dexter side, a female figure proper vested Argent supporting in the dexter hand a Flag-staff proper, hoisted thereon the Ensign of the Dominion of New Zealand, and on the sinister side a Maori Rangatira vested proper holding in his dexter hand a Taiaha all proper.
Motto: Onward.
The present New Zealand arms are a 1956 revision of the 1911 design. The crest was changed to the Crown of St. Edward, the quarterings were redrawn, and the supporters, instead of facing the front, now faced each other. The motto was changed to “New Zealand”.
This was designed by B. Wyon, R.A. The design depicts Queen Victoria in Treaty (1840) with a group of Maori chiefs. This served as a seal of the colony until 1911.
The many aspects of New Zealand life are symbolised on the national arms, the emblems of which re-occur continually in local coats of arms, the arms of the four major cities proving this.
Arms: 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.
Arms: 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).
Arms: 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 Pukeko proper.
Motto: Fide Condita, Fructu Beata, Spe Fortis (founded in faith, rich in production, strong in hope).
Arms: 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.
Coronet: 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 Maori 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).
In recent years, as many local bodies celebrated their centenaries or boroughs reached city status, attention has been focused on the designs of their coats of arms. Many of those in existence which have been found unsuitable or inexpertly drawn or perpetrating heraldic errors, have been redesigned and approved by the College of Arms or the Lyons Office in Edinburgh. Amongst these is Invercargill, whose badge was a quartered shield; in the first quarter a plough; the second a garb; the third a wool bale; and the fourth a ship. The new coat of arms granted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, Edinburgh, on 25 July 1958, is:
Arms: 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 Takahe proper.
Motto: Pro Communi Utilitate (for the use of the community).
Arms of famous families have been adopted by some local bodies. Wanganui which was once known as Petre, on attaining city status on 1 July 1924, adopted the Petre arms, while the arms of the Temple family, of which Lord Palmerston was a member, form the sinister side of Palmerston North's arms.
The University of Otago's arms are: Azure, a saltire argent, the saltire cantoned with four stars also argent, and an escutcheon of pretence gules in the centre with a fifth star of the second.
The University of Canterbury has arms similar to those of Canterbury Province, which are: Argent, on a chevron gules three Foisons d'or (golden fleeces) between three ploughs proper, on a chief Azure, a Cross Calvary between two archi-episcopal palls of the first.
The arms of Victoria University of Wellington are: Vert on a fesse engrailed between three Crowns Or, a Canton Azure charged with four Estoilles Argent (in the form of the Southern Cross).
The arms of the University of Auckland are: Azure between three mullets argent an open Book proper edged and bound Or with seven Clasps on either side Gold on a chief wavy also argent three Kiwis proper.
Many New Zealand ecclesiastical organisations, schools, commercial enterprises, societies, and institutions have coats of arms, but it is beyond the scope of this article to list them all.
by John Sidney Gully, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Assistant Chief Librarian, General Assembly Library, Wellington.