New Zealand Herald Extraordinary

New Zealand Herald Extraordinary

The heraldic badge of New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary
 
Heraldic tradition Gallo-British
Jurisdiction New Zealand
Governing body College of Arms

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. The current New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is Phillip Patrick O’Shea.

Historical background

Consideration was given in 1975 to establishing an independent heraldic authority in New Zealand. In particular there were proposals for a new provincial king of arms, titled New Zealand King of Arms, to be under the Earl Marshal and Garter Principal King of Arms. This would have been an officer of arms in ordinary and a part of the corporation of the College of Arms. It was decided however to continue to use the College of Arms.

On 6 February 1978, Phillip Patrick O'Shea was appointed as the first New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary to Her Majesty The Queen. The appointment was made by royal warrant of the Queen of New Zealand addressed to the Earl Marshal of England. Having been accomplished in this way, New Zealand Herald's appointment was unlike other extraordinary heralds and more akin to that of officers of arms in ordinary. The warrant of appointment has not been published in the New Zealand Gazette.

Heraldic duties

Unlike some other Commonwealth countries with their own local heraldic authorities, armorial ensigns in New Zealand continue to be granted by the Kings of Arms of the College of Arms in London. New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary has no autonomous power to grant arms. However, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary advises the New Zealand Government on heraldic matters, represents the College of Arms in New Zealand, is deputy in that country to Garter Principal King of Arms, and is ex officio a member of the Royal Household. The current New Zealand Herald Extraordinary was also appointed the Herald of the New Zealand Order of Merit on its institution in 1996.[1]

Since the creation of the office of New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary in 1978, letters patent issued through by the College of Arms to New Zealanders have de-emphasised their English character. Thus, the Earl Marshal is simply noted as "Earl Marshal" rather than "Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England". In the same way, the Queen's New Zealand royal style has been used rather than that of the United Kingdom.

Ceremonial duties

New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary Phillip O'Shea leads the Prime Minister and newly sworn-in Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae up the steps of Parliament.

The New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary attends the Governor-General (or the Sovereign, if present) on ceremonial occasions which include the swearing-in of a new Governor-General, investitures of Royal honours, and the ceremonial Opening of Parliament.[1] Since at least 2002 the New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary has been the person appointed by the Governor-General to proclaim the dissolution of Parliament.[2][3][4][5]

When performing duties the New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary wears morning dress together with the chains of office and holding a herald's baton. The tabard of the Royal Arms are only worn at ceremonial occasions when in England together with the other heralds; the most recent occasion being at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012.

Badge of office

The badge of office of New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is blazoned A complex Māori Koru coloured in the traditional manner proper ensigned by a representation of the Royal Crown also proper. The Koru design is used to decorate the rafters of Māori meeting houses, where important ceremonies take place, and it is also found on a number of objects at these ceremonial gatherings. The loops and coils of the Koru also represent the complex Māori genealogical tree of the Whakapapa. Māori genealogy is based for the most part on oral evidence and tradition, and in art the Koru is used to represent this.

Phillip O'Shea

Phillippe (Phillip) Patrick O’Shea CNZM CVO (born 23 March 1947 in Wellington). He was educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington and Victoria University of Wellington. He was Librarian and numismatic advisor to Treasury from 1967–74, Advisory Officer (Honours) to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 1974, and New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary to the Queen from 1978. In the 2014 New Year Honours O'Shea was appointed a Commander of The Royal Victorian Order.[6][7][8]

Arms

References

  1. 1 2 Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. "New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary". Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Proclamation Dissolving the Parliament of New Zealand (19 June 2002) 66 New Zealand Gazette 1741.
  3. ↑ Proclamation Dissolving the Parliament of New Zealand (12 August 2005) 124 New Zealand Gazette 3031.
  4. ↑ Proclamation Dissolving the Parliament of New Zealand (6 October 2008) 153 New Zealand Gazette 4049.
  5. ↑ Proclamation Dissolving the Parliament of New Zealand (21 October 2011) 160 ’’New Zealand Gazette 4575.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60728. p. 4. 31 December 2013.
  7. ↑ “The Royal Victorian Order” (10 April 2014) 38 New Zealand Gazette 1076 at 1092.
  8. ↑ "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2005". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (of New Zealand). 6 June 2005. Retrieved 11 July 2013.

External links

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