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Arms of Sir Jerry Mateparae

Posted: 12 Jul 2017, 19:27
by Arthur Radburn
The arms granted to Sir Jerry Mateparae shortly before the end of his term of office as Governor-General of New Zealand last year :

Image

Arms : Vert on a Fess invected Argent a Fess per fess indented of three points Gules and Sable thereon a Wave crested of three points each in the form of a Koru Argent all between three Whalebone Clubs or Kotiate bendwise sinister also Argent in the centre chief a Royal Crown proper.

Crest : A Fantail or Piwakawaka wings extended fesswise the head lowered and the tail displayed upwards proper thereon five Mullets in cross Gules fimbriated Argent.

Supporters : On the Dexter A European Woman proper vested in a long evening dress and wearing slippers Vert gorged with a cord also Vert pendant therefrom a greenstone pendant or Pounamu Kuru and holding in the dexter arm its head to the sinister a ginger and white Cat proper. On the Sinister A Maori vested in the uniform of a Lieutenant of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment with collar badges wearing a Service Dress shirt and tie with a Sam Browne Belt hanging to the sinister therefrom an Infantry Officer’s Sword on his head a Khaki Lemon Squeezer Hat proper the Puggaree thereon Khaki Gules and Khaki and worn over the shoulders a Maori Cloak or Kaitaka proper.

They represent Sir Jerry and his wife Lady Janine (who's holding the family cat, 'Boots').

The motto means "It is the people - it is the people - it is the people".

The shield is surrounded by the collar of the NZ Order of Merit.

The symbolism is quite detailed. There's a detailed explanation here.

Re: Arms of Sir Jerry Mateparae

Posted: 12 Jul 2017, 19:40
by Chris Green
It must be extremely unusual for supporters to represent the armiger and his lady.

Interesting to note that the St Edward's crown is, in this case, not an augmentation of honour.

Re: Arms of Sir Jerry Mateparae

Posted: 12 Jul 2017, 22:04
by Arthur Radburn
Chris Green wrote:Interesting to note that the St Edward's crown is, in this case, not an augmentation of honour.
Not described as such, but I believe that the Queen's permission is required for its use as a charge, so it is an honour of sorts, I suppose. It's pretty much become a standard charge in arms granted to GGs of New Zealand, and also of Canada.

The whalebone clubs and the koru make interesting charges and lines.

Re: Arms of Sir Jerry Mateparae

Posted: 13 Jul 2017, 06:32
by Michael F. McCartney
Interesting and attractive design, with the shield almost entirely consisting of native themes.
Strictly from an artistic perspective, the design would IMO be stronger and cleaner (i.e. less cluttered) without the European crown; though the symbolic importance makes the crown essentially mandatory for a Governor-General.