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Māori, silver fern and Southern Cross elements have been incorporated into the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newly commissioned officer’s sword.
The new sword, which maintains traditional elements on one side of the blade, now includes the silver fern and Southern Cross and adds Māori design, incorporating elements of Aotearoa and its seafaring origins to the opposing side.
The design is also one of the first instances of a defence force item that includes His Majesty the King’s “CRIII” cypher, announced in September last year.
Former New Zealand Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor was invited to change the design of the sword, manufactured by UK-based Pooley Sword, in 2023.
NZDF lieutenants Te Naawe Tupe and Codi Wehi-Ngatai collaborated on the Maori designs, including the addition of two birds, Mumuhou and Takereto, as well as a whale’s tail, the Māori God of the sea Tangaroa and the underlying values of the Royal New Zealand Navy with Tū Kaha (courage) and Tū Tika (integrity).
The base of the sword represents the two other core values of Tū Tira (comradeship) and Tū Maia (commitment).
“It was something we wanted to leave our mark on,” said Lieutenant Tupe and Lieutenant Wehi-Ngatai.
“That representation of Tangaroa is quite unique and makes the sword Navy-centric. I don’t have a sword myself, but seeing this in service is enough for me.”
Three swords have been issued so far with one gifted to the governor-general and two issued respectively to Minister of Defence Sword of Honour recipients graduating from JOCT 23/02 and JOCT 24/01.
