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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
      • Congratulatory messages
    • Contacting the Governor-General
      • Guidance for writing to the Governor-General
    • Official portraits
    • Royal Commission Reports
  • Government House
    • Government House Wellington
      • Government House tours
        • Accessibility Information
        • Education tours
        • Group tours
        • Upcoming public tours
      • Rooms of Government House
        • Bledisloe Conservatory
        • Blundell and Porritt Rooms
        • Fitzroy Room
        • Galway and guest suites
        • Liverpool Room
        • Main Hallway
        • Maota Ariki
        • The Ballroom
        • The Council Room
        • The Landing
        • The Norrie State Dining Room
        • The Taupaepae
      • Artwork and artifacts
        • Carved coats of arms
      • Government House centenary
      • Government House conservation
        • Conservation rationale
        • The project in detail
    • Government House Auckland
      • Government House Auckland garden tours
        • Group garden tours
        • Upcoming public garden tours
      • Planning your visit and accessibility
      • History of the gardens
    • Other Government Houses
    • Staff at Government House
      • Management of Government House
    • Tours
  1. Home
  2. Government House
  3. Government House Wellington
  4. Artwork and artifacts
  5. Carved coats of arms
  6. Understanding an Achievement of Arms

Understanding an Achievement of Arms

 Understanding an Achievement of Arms
Understanding an Achievement of Arms

While the carvings are colloquially referred to as “coats of arms,” the correct term is Armorial Bearings or an Achievement of Arms.

The terms are synonymous and refer to the whole Arms (Shield, Crest, Supporters, Motto etc). The coat of arms is technically the design that features on the shield in the middle of the panel. Another popular misconception that the word “crest” describes a whole coat of arms or any heraldic device. A crest is a specific part of a full achievement of arms: the three-dimensional object placed on top of the helm.

In heraldry, a number of terms are used describe the features of each Achievement of Arms. Some key features are the supporters, or figures on either side of the escutcheon (or shield). The supporter on the left is known as the Dexter supporter and the one of the right as the Sinister supporter. Each of the supporters may stand on a feature known as a Compartment. The feature at the top of the Achievement is known as the Crest. The crest sits on the Helm (or helmet), which often features a Torse (wreath) and Mantling. Another common feature of some arms is the Circlet with the motto of person’s highest order (sometimes just the collar of the highest order is shown). Beneath the circlet, is the motto and beneath that, the Insignia of the various honours the person has received.

The official authority on heraldry is the College of Arms in the United Kingdom

College of Arms

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  • Government House Wellington
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    • Artwork and artifacts
      • Carved coats of arms
        • The carvers and timber
        • Understanding an Achievement of Arms
        • The Designs
        • New Zealand elements
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  • Government House Auckland
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Government House Wellington.

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

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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
  • Roles and functions of the Governor-General
  • Conditions of Appointment
  • History
  • Invitations, patronage and cards
  • Contacting the Governor-General
  • Official portraits
  • Royal Commission Reports
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