New Zealand heraldry

New Zealand heraldry basically follows the British heraldic traditions.

Heraldic authority

New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is the officer of arms responsible for the regulation of heraldry in 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.^[1] The current New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is Phillip Patrick O’Shea.

Coats of arms

The heraldry of New Zealand has added indigenous animals of the islands to the existing heraldic bestiary.^[2]

Some, but not all, of municipalities in New Zealand use heraldic arms.^[3] The arms of the capital, Wellington, combines the arms of Wellesley Duke of Wellington with the national coat of arms.^[4] The coat of arms of the City of Christchurch also have charges from the national arms.

Heraldists

Heraldry is also discussed and studied by The Heraldry Society of New Zealand, a learned society under the patronage of the governor-general. The society publishes The New Zealand Armorist. Its homepage is called Onward.^[5]

References

1. Friar, Stephen, ed. (1987). A New Dictionary of Heraldry. London: Alphabooks/A&C Black. pp. 254–5. ISBN 0 906670 44 6.
2. Bedingfeld, Henry; Gwynn-Jones, Peter (1993). Heraldry. Leicester: Magna Books. pp. 73 and 102. ISBN 1-85422-433-6.
3. "New Zealand". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
4. "Wellington (New Zealand)". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
5. "Onward". The Heraldry Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 29 January 2014.