University of Canterbury

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UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY

Country: New Zealand
Campus/location : Christchurch

Official blazon

Murrey a fleece argent, in base a plough or, and on a chief wavy or an open book proper bound murrey, edged and clasped or between a pall azure charged with four crosses formy fitchy or and a cross flory azure.

Origin/meaning

When the University of Canterbury became autonomous in 1961 the then Chancellor, Mr C H Perkins, sought formal approval for an official coat of arms. Fine Arts Professor John Simpson designed a simplified version of Canterbury College's arms and it was duly approved and authorised by the English Kings of Arms in Letters Patent dated 10 May 1965.

The silver fleece symbolises the pastoral pursuits of the province of Canterbury, while the golden 19th century plough on the base of the shield symbolises agriculture. Both are set on a murrey-coloured shield. In the middle of the golden chief rests an open book with a murrey cover and golden clasps, representing learning. On the dexter chief is an azure bishop's pall charged with four golden crosses with splayed arms, flat ends and a spiked foot. On the sinister chief is an azure cross flory. The two crosses signify Canterbury's ecclesiastical connections. The wavy line separating the chief represents land overseas.

The University's original, unauthorised coat of arms was accompanied by a Latin motto "Ergo tua rura manebunt", meaning "therefore may your fields prosper" (or: "remain unto you"). This was appropriate for the early University because of the land holdings with which it was originally endowed by the Provincial Government. The motto was dropped when the coat of arms was redesigned because the income from the University's land holdings had become insignificant.