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  • The Governor-General
    • Biography of The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
    • Biography of Dr Richard Davies
    • Media statements
    • Speeches by The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro
    • The Governor-General's blog
  • Office of the Governor-General
    • Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
      • About the Coronation service
      • The King of New Zealand
      • Get involved
      • Coronation events
    • Roles and functions of the Governor-General
      • Constitutional role
        • New Zealand’s Constitution
        • Credentials ceremonies
        • The Executive Council
        • The Reserve Powers
        • The Royal prerogative of mercy
      • Ceremonial role
        • Investiture ceremonies
        • New Zealand Royal Honours
      • Community role
      • International Role
    • Conditions of Appointment
      • Administrator of the Government
      • The Governor-General Act
      • The Governor-General's Flag
    • History
      • New Zealand's Governor-General - an historical perspective
      • Former Governors-General
    • Invitations, patronage and cards
      • Invitations for the Governor-General
        • Dress code for Government House events
      • Hosting the Governor-General
      • Order of precedence in New Zealand
      • Applying for vice-regal patronage
      • Current Vice-regal patronages
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        • The Ballroom
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        • The Norrie State Dining Room
        • The Taupaepae
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      • Government House centenary
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  1. Home
  2. Government House
  3. Government House Wellington
  4. Artwork and artifacts
  5. Carved coats of arms
  6. The carvers and timber

The carvers and timber

 

Frederick George Gurnsey in his studio, 1952.
Frederick George Gurnsey in his studio, 1952.

While the carver or carvers of the panels of Lord Islington and the Earl of Liverpool (1912-21) are not known, the similar style suggests they were executed by the same person.

They are believed to have been carved in Britain.

Government House files indicate that Mr K Kania of Dunedin carved the Lord Jellicoe panel (1920-24) and Joseph Ellis (1887-1941) of the School of Art at the Wellington Technical College carved the panel of Sir Charles Fergusson (1924-30). Mr A E Shank of Dunedin carved Lord Bledisoe’s (1930-35) panel and Alexander Roderick Fraser (1877-1953) of Wellington carved the panel of Lord Galway (1935-41). Noted sculptor, Frederick George Gurnsey (1868-1953) of Christchurch carved the panels of Sir Cyril Newall (1941-46) and Lord Freyberg (1946-52).

The panels from Lord Norrie (1957) through to Sir Keith Holyoake (1977-80) were carved by Patrick Mulcahy QSM of Christchurch. He also carved the faces of Sir David Beattie’s (1980-85) panel while the remainder was carved by Remi Couriard, originally of Christchurch, but later of the Channel Islands. They also carved Sir Paul Reeves’ (1985-90) panel while Mr Couriard carved that of Dame Catherine Tizard (1990-96). The panels of Sir Michael Hardie Boys (1996-2001), Dame Silvia Cartwright (2001-6), Sir Anand Satyanand (2006-11) and Sir Jerry Mateparae (2011-2016) were carved by Paul Deans, of Christchurch, who signed his panels.

All the panels are carved from oak. Mr Mulcahy and Mr Couriard carved their panels in locally grown European oak while Mr Deans carved the Hardie Boys panel from a Red Oak tree felled in Christchurch in 1993.

The Sir Bernard Fergusson panel cracked shortly after installation and to prevent further damage, metal brackets had to be attached to the back. To prevent cracking, the subsequent Armorial Bearings have been carved separately and then glued to the base panel cut from the same piece of timber. Great care is taken to ensure the grains of both pieces match.

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  • Government House Wellington
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        • The carvers and timber
        • Understanding an Achievement of Arms
        • The Designs
        • New Zealand elements
    • Government House centenary
    • Government House conservation
  • Government House Auckland
  • Other Government Houses
  • Staff at Government House
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Book a tour of Government House Wellington

Government House Wellington.

Our Visitor Centre runs free, guided tours for individuals, groups and schools.

Bookings are required.

Find out more about tours

Govt House Trip Advisor 2024

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The Governor-General
  • Biography of The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
  • Biography of Dr Richard Davies
  • Media statements
  • Speeches by The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro
  • The Governor-General's blog
Office of the Governor-General
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