I am pretty sure that all the NZ members of this forum have heard of HMS New Zealand. According to Wikipedia she was “one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Launched in 1911, the ship was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain, and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912. She had been intended for the China Station, but was released by the New Zealand government at the request of the Admiralty for service in British waters.”
The interesting part is that HMS New Zealand’s first commander was Captain Lionel Halsey who introduced two mottos for the crew of New Zealand’s famous battlecruiser.
The first motto was — “Fear God; Honour the King”
Captain Halsey explained that if they did not fear God they might as well be dead and buried, and if they did not honour the King they had no right to be in the Empire.
The Second motto was — “Onward”
Captain Halsey explained that it meant ‘onward and upward to the right goal.’ They must have truthfulness, obedience, and respect for those in authority.
On the 17th April 1913, on the decks of HMS New Zealand, Maori chiefs of Ngati Raukawa presented Captain Halsey with a piupiu (Maori garment of war)
Rere Nikitini, in addressing the officers of HMS New Zealand said. —
“This ship bears the name of our islands. It was presented on behalf of the people to His Majesty by our Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward. We the Maori people entirely concurred in the gift, and, we realise that some part of its cost has come direct from the land of our ancestors. We are under the mana of England by special treaty—the Treaty of Waitangi. We are under the protection of England therefore we give her a battleship. As to these garments let them be as sails for your ship, carrying you to distant shores, and even to the presence of war if that should happen- let them be a further inspiration to you at that awful day—if the day comes—when our ship should clear for action.”
On the 28th August 1914, HMS New Zealand's first wartime action was at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. Captain Halsey wore the piupiu over his uniform, setting a tradition that was followed for the duration of the war.
On the 4th July 2005, the family of Captain Halsey returned the piupiu to the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral D.I. Ledson at the New Zealand High Commission in London. A ceremony was held at Te Taua Moana Marae to welcome home the piupiu. The piupiu was then handed over to the NZ Naval Museum for safe keeping and subsequent display.
The following extract is from the Evening Post newspaper and is dated 9th May 1942.
“NEW ZEALAND'S MOTTO
WAR AND THE FUTURE.
When New Zealand's national emblem was designed, our forefathers embodied a simple motto —the word "Onward." It is a motto that will never become out of date.”
The question of how our forefathers came up with the word “Onward” as our national motto is highly debateable, but I personally suspect that the Australian motto of “Advance Australia” which dates back to 1821, was probably the biggest inspiration.
The second biggest inspiration was a New Zealand national anthem dedicated in 1887 by the Caledonian Society of Wellington to Sir William Jervois, who at that time was Governor of New Zealand.
The first verse of that anthem is as follows—
Onward! New Zealand ever, marching with dauntless heart;
Onward! New Zealand, never from freedom's path depart.
Light of the southern sea, home of the brave and free, Glorious and great to be!
Onward! New Zealand ever.
The first recorded move to establish a Coat of Arms for New Zealand was a design competition in 1906.
The competition was readvertised in 1908 and 75 designs featuring everything from kiwis, sheep, cows, moas and lions to stars, ships, British soldiers, Māori warriors and Union Jacks were received. Three entries were sent to England for judging.
The winning entry was by James McDonald, a draughtsman in the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. A Royal Warrant granting armorial ensigns and supports was issued on 26 August 1911 and published in the New Zealand Gazette of 11 January 1912. These arms, known as the 1911 arms.
(The 1911 Coat of Arms was replaced in 1956 by the current coat of arms, which features the words New Zealand in the bottom scroll instead of the motto Onward)
Just out of interest, on the superstructure of HMS New Zealand was a “life size” New Zealand Coat of Arms which was carved by Rasleigh Pinwell of Plymouth, from solid teak that was 6 inches in depth.