Kawerau

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of New Zealand

KAWERAU

Region: Bay of Plenty

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on 5th June 1985.

The arms have been designed to reflect the life, culture, industry and topography of the area. The indented line in the centre of the arms alludes to the teeth of a saw and stylised representation of pine trees to the forestry industry which is the commercial life of the District. The indented line also suggests energy. The three wavy lines depict the water of the Tarawera River.>

The per chevron alludes to Mount Edgecumbe (Putauaki) which dominates the District landscape. The indented line through this may also be taken to allude to the story in Maori mythology "That Mt. Edgecumbe became separated from the mountain range called Ko Putauaki on the eastern side of Mt. Tarawera".

The green represents the forest and natural beauty of the area while the gold represents the wealth of the District attributed to the forestry industry.

The early settlement by the Maori people and the agricultural importance of the area is depicted with the Ko (digging stick).

The crest is in the form of a Maori head, Koruru. This device was taken from the Mayoral chain of the District. It represents the rich Maori history of the area. The form of Koruru is one commonly used on Meeting Houses in the Bay of Plenty.

Literature : Information obtained from the Kawerau Council.